t / f U/t- <e- is Qc>c t-^e ^c^c^ 0*i Co^r/c^cc ft<< t> * z. 



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MEDICAL SYSTEMS IN VOGUE; 



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. ALVA CURTIS, A. M., M. D. 

Founder of the First Physio-Medical College in the "World, viz : The Botanico-Medi- 
| CAL College of Ohio; for Nineteen Years President of its Board of Directors, 
and its Professor of the Institutes and Practice of Medicine ; Author 
of "A Synopsis of Lectures on Medical Science," of " Lectures on 
Obstetrics," and for Twenty-one Years Editor of the 
**} Botanico or Physio-Medical Recorder, and Member 

C^, of many Literary and Philosophical Societies. 



<^ 



" Medicine is an incoherent assemblage of incoherent ideas, and is, perhaps, of all the physiological Sciences, 
that which best shows the caprice of the human mind. What did I say? It is not a Science for a methodical mind. 
It is a shapeless assemblage of inaccurate ideas, of observations often ptienle, cf deceptive remedies, and of for- 
mulas as fantastically conceived as they are tediously arranged." — Bichat's General Anatumy, v?l. 1. page 17. 

" But Medicine is a demonstrative Science, and all its processes should be proved by established principles, and 
be based on positive inductions. That the proceedings of Medicine are not of this character, is to be attributed to 
the manner of its cultivation, and not to the nature of the Science itself." — Prof. Samuel Jackson, M. D., of thi 
University of Pennsylvania.— Principles of Medicine. 



THIRD EDITION. 



CINCINNATI: 

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1866. 




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y^m 



PREFACE. 



The object of a preface is to give some account of, or reasons for, the pro- 
duction that follows, or the author's motives for its publication. Ever since 
the true science of medicine was shadowed forth, by Dr. Samuel Thomson 
and other pioneers of reform, a constant crusade has been kept up against it 
by interested men, in the hope of rendering its doctrines and practices ridicu- 
lous and unpopular, and thus preventing that thorough regeneration of this 
noble science, which would greatly mitigate our sufferings, prolong our lives 
and multiply our pleasures. I say, by interested men, those who, having 
studied long and carefully, the various systems of error, and found them 
honorable and profitable in their practice, have been therefore unwilling to 
acknowledge their errors and the worthlessness of their labors, to give them 
*kp for truth, and to perform more labor for less profit, for the cause of science 
and humanity. 

Many friends of reform, and practitioners and teachers of medicine, have 
done what they could to develop its principles and illustrate its practice; but 
no one has yet attempted to furnish a full and safe defence of it, against the at- 
tacks of its enemies — especially has no one ventured to branch out from his 
own fortress of defence, and attack the enemy on the high seas of his own 
crazy craft, and to drive him into the whirlpools and the certain destruction 
into which he would gladly persuade us that we are most rapidly tending. 
Yet such a work is very much needed, and, though very conscious that his 
talents, his time and his circumstances all fall short of the magnitude and 
importance of the undertaking, the author has resolved to do what he can, in 
this hitherto little cultivated field; in the hope that it will be useful to phi- 
lanthropists of every character, grade and condition in life, till something 
better shall come forth to take its place. 

It is well known that the author has had a very large experience in the 
work of defending the cause of truth, science and humanity, and develop- 
ing the true principles of medical science. And he hopes to be better able 
to fulfill any expectations that may arise in other minds from this knowledge, 
than to satisfy himself that he has done all that he might have done under 
more favorable circumstances. 

One of the most difficult things in the world, as well as the most import- 
Ant, to the sick man, is to ascertain what practice he should employ for the 

(iii) * 



IV PREFACE. 

relief of his physical sufferings. As it is impossible for any person not thor- 
oughly "bred to physic," to learn, from any sources within his reach, the true 
character of any system of practice, I have been careful to give the true 
character of each system, so that, whoever will make himself thoroughly ac- 
quainted with this little Work, will have no one but himself to blame, if he 
does not choose the best, at the commencement of his disease, and continue 
it till he recovers or dies. It is well known that some physicians who belong 
to one class, will often practice on the principles of another; thus the Allopa- 
thist may give good medicines, the wet sheet, the warm and vapor bath; 
the Eclectic, who pretends to "dispense with all deleterious agencies" (403), 
may bleed, cup, blister and give opium and other narcotics, and even 
calomel; and the pretended Physio-Medical may, to' some extent, use like 
agents. But this work will enable him who is familiar with it, to detect all 
such hypocrisy, and guard against its ruinous effects. 

The subjects discussed are the following: 

1st. Medicine as it is in the various schools. 

2d. Medicine as it should be. 

3d. The contrast between them. 

4th. The answer to the questions, what is science and what is quackery, 
and where may each be found. — 

Editors or critics, who may deem this work worthy of their notice, will 
confer a favor on the author by sending him a copy of their notices; and, if 
any living authors think that he has done them injustice, they will please 
show him wherein, and the wrong, if any, shall be corrected in notes to the 
next edition, which will soon appear, *■■ this is nearly all bespoken. 



PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 

The unique character of the following work, (no one like it having ever before been published), and 
the manifest value of it to persons of every class and condition of society, caused the sale of a large 
edition in a very short time after its publication. Though the circumstances of the past five years have 
been very unfavorable to the issue of a new edition, the demand for it has been and is still so pressing, 
that the proprietors have concluded to send it forth. 

From multitudes who obtained and perused the first impression, we have received the most flattering 
testimonials to its value, for which we have here no space. Suffice it to say that physicians of every class 
have commended it for the extent, variety, and judicious selection of its quotations from distinguished 
authors, and the candor and fairness of its criticisms ; ministers of the Gospel have prized it for the aid 
it has afforded them in advising their sick friends as to the choice of their physicians ; lawyers consider 
it a work of great value to them, in selecting facts relating to, and in framing arguments upon, questions 
of medical jurisprudence; heads of families and other individuals perceive that they have in it a sure 
and safe directory to their choice of a system of practice and a class of practitioners ; students of medi- 
cine jnstly regard it as a key to unlock all popular systems, and to enable them intelligently to choose 
among them the one they should pursue ; and last, but not least, the reformer of medicine finds it to be 
his best guide and aid in his efforts to disperse the errors of medical theorizers, and to disseminate light 
on the true science and practice of medicine. 

Every physio-»e«Ucal (natural) practitioner will learn, by a short trial, that a dozen copies of this 
work lent, successivdy, for a week or two only, to the inquiring inhabitants of the city, town, or country 
in which he locates, will be the best of all means of breaking down opposition to his practice, of spread- 
ing abroad the true light, and of securing to him an extensive, a useful, and a lucrative practice. 



INTRODUCTION. 



To a powerful and well disciplined mind, thoroughly acquainted with the 
truths and facts of the case, it is both painful and disheartening, to perceive 
how extensively a few comparatively obscure men of moderate talent and 
little information or less discrimination and candor, have succeeded in per- 
suading a large majority of the talented, intelligent and refined of the 
community, even of the professions of religion and law; of the statesmen, 
philosophers, philanthropists and men of every trade or occupation, and 
even thousands of their own profession, to believe that the Allopathic system 
of medicine, is based on the solid principles of science, and that its practice 
is worthy of the dignified title of an art; when, in fact, there can scarcely 
be found, in the whole ranks of the profession, in ancient or in modern times, 
a single man distinguished for his talents, his education, his accurate discrim- 
ination, his candor, honor and humanity, who has sincerely believed its 
doctrines, or placed any confidence in its practices. On the contrary, the 
most of them have pi&tycty denounced its leading doctrines, as a system of 
"absurdity, contradiction and falsehood," and its practices as "horrid, 
unwarrantable, murderous quackery." Prof. N. Chapman, (142). 

Did the doctrines of Allopathy work only the profit of the deceivers, we 
might, to some extent, excuse it; but, when it is demonstrated, that the prac- 
tice daily and hourly works out the life-long ruin of the poor, frail, mortal 
bodies of thousands and tens of thousands of our citizens, causing them to 
"drag out a few years of miserable existence in extreme debility and emacia- 
tion, with stiff incurvated limbs, a total loss of teeth and appetite," "a loathing 
to themselves and a disgusting spectacle to those around them;" while, with its 
millions of victims of premature destruction, it peoples, yearly, the dark and 
silent regions of the dead, our sorrow and chagrin at the deception are turned 
into deep lamentation, disgust and abhorrence; and we are constrained to 
exclaim — "By what unaccountable perversity of our nature" is it that we 
can be so wicked as thus to deceive others, or so blind and stupid as to be 
deceived, in such a manner, to our own or their destruction! 

Another of the strangest phenomena which the operations of the universe 
present to the contemplation of admiring man, is the fact that truth and love, 

(5) 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

or Science and Benevolence, though the brightest Angels that ever left the 
throne of God, on an errand of mercy to poor, ignorant and selfish man; 
have ever, as a general rule, met the strongest opposition and the most un- 
grateful treatment, from the very persons whom they have so generously 
endeavored to enlighten, to refine and to bless. Such angels are the truths 
that have heralded true medical reform, and such have been the opposition, 
slander and abuse they have experienced. Yet I hope that none will be 
startled at the assertion I now make, that nothing is easier than to prove, by 
the most abundant and appropriate testimony, by the most indubitable facts, 
logical deductions and tabular results, that this Allopathic system is the 
most erroneous, absurd, dangerous and destructive system of quackery, and 
its practice the most wicked as well as the most specious humbug, that the 
world has ever known; and that the very attempt to convince us that its 
principles constitute a solid science, or its practices a noble art, is an impu- 
dent insult to our understandings, or morals, as it supposes us either igno- 
ramuses, simpletons or knaves. 

To demonstrate these propositions, is the object of this work. 

The subject is systematically and scientifically treated under the following 
heads: 

1. Proof that Allopathy and its kindred systems are not science. 

2. Proof that their practice is not art. 

3. Proof that their fundamental doctrines are false. 

4. Proof that their particular practices are injurious. 

5. The character and tendency of their principles. 

6. The character and tendency of their remedies. 

7. What is true science? 

8. "What is quackery? 

9. Where may each be found. 

When quoting authors, the figures in parentheses refer to the pages of 
their books, or, as at the close of the first paragraph here, (142), to some 
number of the book where the quotation and reference are found. In my 
own composition, they refer to the numbers of this work. 



EXPOSITION, &c, 



General Denunciations of Medicine as a Science. 



1. Dr. J. Abercrombie, Fellow of the Royal Society of England, of the 
Royal College of Physicians in Edinburg, and first Physician to his Majesty 
in Scotland, says: 

"There has been much difference of opinion among philosophers, in re- 
gard to the place which medicine is entitled to hold among the physical sci- 
ences; for, while one has maintained that it 'rests upon an eternal basis, and 
has within it the power of rising to perfection,' another has distinctly asserted 
that 'almost the only resource of medicine is the art of conjecturing.' " 
Intel. Pow., p. 293. 

2. Dr. John Eberle, Professor successively in Philadelphia, New York, 
Cincinnati, and Lexington, Ky., says of the fashionable theories of medicine: 

" The judicious and unprejudiced physician will neither condemn nor adopt 
unreservedly any of the leading doctrines advanced in modern times." Pref. 
to Prac, p. 1. 

That is, not a tyro, mark it, but "the judicious and unprejudiced physi- 
cian," the man who is best instructed in them, and the most capable of dis- 
tinguishing between truth and falsehood, even such a man is not certain 
whether, not a few wild notions of some idle theorist, but "the leading doc- 
trines," the fundamental principles of modern medicine, are right or wrong! 
Shade of Dr. Eberle! you surely will not haunt me for trying to determine 
this unsettled question! 

3. The "New York Medical Enquirer," commenced in January 1830, the 
name of which was changed, in July following, to the American Lancet, 
published in the city of New York, and conducted by an association of Phy^ 
sicians and Surgeons, vol. 1, No. 1, advertisement, says: 

"If we take a retrospective view of the science of medicine with its alter- 
ations and improvements the last two centuries, the medical annals of this 
period will present us with a series of learned dissertations by authors whose 
names alone are now remembered, while their writings, under the specious 
term improvement, have left us only the deplorable consolation of knowing 
that their works have heaped system upon system, precept upon precept, 
error upon error, each in turn yielding to its follower. Year after year 
produces a new advocate for a new theory of disease, each condemning its 
predecessor, and each alike to be condemned by its successor. 

" Happy had it been for the world, if the medical systems which have 
been obtruded upon it, were only chargeable with inutility, absurdity, and 
falsehood. But alas! they have often misled the understanding, perverted 

(7) 



8 EXPOSITION. # 

the judgment, and given rise to the most dangerous and fatal errors in piac- 
tice. A short view of the history of physic will convince us of this melan- 
choly truth. 

"We wish a more rational mode adopted for the promotion of medical 
knowledge, than hair-brained theories and doubtful facts. Observation, prac- 
tice, and experience, in the administration of medicine, with its effects on 
the system, may take the lead of scholastic learning and hard names. We 
must have facts instead of opinions, reasons instead of theory, knowledge 
instead of titles and certificates." 

4. The following is the declaration of Bichat, one of the greatest of French 
Pathologists: 

"Medicine is an incoherent assemblage of incoherent ideas, and is, per- 
haps, of all the physiological sciences, that which best shows the caprice of 
the human mind. What did I say? It is not a science for a methodical 
mind. It is a shapeless assemblage of inaccurate ideas, of observations 
often puerile* of deceptive remedies, and of formulae as fantastically con- 
ceived as they are tediously arranged." Bichat's General Anatomy, vol. 
1, page 17. 

5. Dr. L. M. Whiting, in a Dissertation at an Annual Commencement in 
Pittsfield, Mass., said: 

"The very principles upon which most of what are called the theories 
involving medical questions, have been based, were never established. They 
are and always were false, and consequently, the superstructures built upon 
them were as 'the baseless fabric of a vision' — transient in their exist- 
ence — passing away upon the introduction of new doctrines and hypothe- 
ses, like the dew before the morning sun." B. M. & S. Journal, vol. 14, 
page 183. 

1 ' Speculation has been the garb in which medicine has been arrayed, from 
that remote period when it was rocked in the cradle of its infancy, by the 
Egyptian priesthood, down to the present day; its texture varying, to be 
sure, according to the power and skill of the manufacturer, from the delicate, 
fine-spun, gossamer-like web of Darwin, to the more gross, uneven, and un- 
wieldy fabric of Hunter; its hue also changing by being dipped in different 
dyes as often as it has become soiled by time and exposure. And what has 
been the consequence? System after system has arisen, flourished, fallen, 
and been forgotten, in rapid and melancholy succession, until the whole field 
is strewed with the disjointed materials in perfect chaos — and, amongst the 
rubbish, the philosophic mind may search for ages, without being able to 
;glean from it hardly one solitary well established fact. 

"If this is a true statement of the case, (and let him who doubts take up 
the history of medicine); if that enormous mass of matter which has been, 
time out of mind accumulating, and which has been christened medical sci- 
ence, is, in fact, nothing but hypothesis piled on hypothesis; who is there 
among us that would not exult in seeing it swept away at once by the besom 
of destruction ?" lb. p. 187-8. 

Professor Jacob Bigelow, of the medical department of Harvard Univer- 
sity, says: 

"Medicine in regard to some of its professed and important objects [the 
cure of disease], is still an ineffectual speculation."' Annual Address before 
the Massachusetts Medical Society, 1835. 



EXPOSITION V 

6. Dr. Rush, in his lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, says: 
"I am insensibly led to make an apology for the instability of the theories 

and practices of physic. Those ph} T sicians generally become the most emin- 
ent, who soonest emancipate themselves from the tyranny of the scnools 
of physic. Our want of success is owing to the following causes: 1st. 
Our ignorance of the disease. 2d. Our ignorance of a suitable remedy." 
Page 79. 

7. Dr. Chapman, Professor of the Institutes and Practice of Physic in 
the University of Pennsylvania, says: 

" Consulting the records of our science, we can not help being disgusted 
with the multitude of hypotheses obtruded upon us at different times. No 
where is the imagination displayed to a greater extent; and, perhaps so am- 
ple an exhibition of human invention might gratify our vanity, if it were 
not more than counterbalanced by the humiliating view of so much absurd- 
ity, contradiction, and falsehood." Therapeutics, vol. 1, p. 47. 

"To harmonize the contrarieties of medical doctrines, is, indeed a task as 
impracticable as to arrange the fleeting vapors around us, or to reconcile the 
fixed and repulsive antipathies of nature." lb. p. 23. 

8. Dr. Gregory, of London, in his Practice, page 31, says: 

"All the vagaries of medical theory, like the absurdities once advanced to 
explain the nature of gravitation, from Hippocrates to Broussais, have been 
believed to be sufficient to explain the phenomena [of disease], yet they have 
all proved unsatisfactory." 

"The science of medicine has been cultivated more than two thousand 
years. The most devoted industry and the greatest talents have been exer- 
cised upon it; and, though there have been great improvements, and there 
is much to be remembered, yet upon no subject have the wild spirit and the 
eccentric dispositions of the imagination been more widely displayed. * * 
Men of extensive fame, glory in pretending to see deeper into the recesses 
of nature than nature herself ever intended ; they invent hypotheses, they 
build theories and distort facts to suit their aerial creations. The celebrity 
of many of the most prominent characters of the last century, will, ere long, 
be discovered only in the libraries of the curious, and recollected only by 
the learned." Page 29. 

I must here add that Dr. Gregory's statements respecting medical theories, 
are indorsed by his American editors, Professor Potter, of the University of 
Maryland, and S. Calhoun, M. D., Professor in Jefferson Medical College, 
Pennsylvania. They are therefore sanctioned by the famous school of Bal- 
timore, which disputes with the Pennsylvanian, for the honor of being ranked 
the first in the United States. 

9. Professor Jackson, of the University of Pennsylvania, tells us, in the 
preface to his "Principles of Medicine," p. 1, that, 

" The discovery of new facts has shed a light which has changed the whole 
aspect of medical science, and the works which have served as guides, are 
impaired in importance and value; they lead astray from the direction in 
which the science progresses, and new ones are demanded, to supply the 
position in which they become faulty. 

" The want of a treatise on the Practice of Medicine, in the room of those 
usually placed in the hands of students and young practitioners, had long 



10 EXPOSITION. 

been felt." * * "At first I contemplated merely a practical book, com- 
piled in the usual manner, founded on the experience of preceding writers, 
compared with, and corrected and extended by my own. I had made a 
considerable progress in this method, when I was arrested by the conviction 
that it was essentially defective; that it did not meet the spirit of the age; 
that it did not answer the purposes of a rational instruction; that it did 
not supply the deficiency I had felt to exist in the commencement of my 
profession; that it had been followed in a servile spirit, from the remotest 
eras of the science, and is, most probably, the cause that, after so long a 
period after its cultivation, its practice still continues of uncertain and doubt- 
ful application." 

10. He therefore strikes out an entirely new path, and writes a large book 
which is no sooner out of the press than Dr. J. V. C. Smith, of the Boston 
Medical and Surgical Journal, pounces upon it with a severity almost equal 
to that of Dr. Pattison upon Broussais. So they go. 

Menzel, in his specimens of Foreign Literature and Science, says: — 

"The Science of Medicine enjoys an immeasurable literature, which, 
unhappily has not yet been able to be collected into a Bible. . It numbers 
creeds and sects enough; and, as Theological parties finally come together in 
faith, Medical parties unite at the most in unbelief." — Menzel' s German 
Literature, vol. II, page 223. 

"The history of Medicine, which has been most thoroughly written by 
Kurt Sprengel, furnishes a melancholy proof how much the human race 
have been always groping about in error, upon one of the most important 
subjects to them. We need but compare the systems of the most celebrated 
and best known physicians, to discover, every where, contradictions of the 
grossest kind. What one derives from the fluids another explains from the 
solids; what one wants to cure with heat, another does with cold; where an 
opposite is recommended by one, a remedy similar to the [cause of the] 
disease, is recommended by another. If one wants to cure the body by the 
mind, another wants to cure the mind by the body. 

"But, if it is asked how all these strangely contradictory systems could 
have come into being, the answer is almost always to be found in the pre- 
vailing fashion of the times, which, originally had nothing whatever to do 
with medicine." — lb. page 226. 

Thus, — "The age of vapors, of coquettish fainting fits, interesting paleness 
and the like," — "was the golden age of the doctors and apothecaries, and 
mankind were obliged to let blood after Stahl; to vomit after Hoffman, 
to purge after Kampf; and exhaust deep alembics after prescriptions a yard 
long, full of every stench of the old world and the new, in order to go back 
again finally to Helmont's theory, that the real seat of disease was the 
stomach disordered by doctoring." — lb. page 230-231. See the whole article. 

11. Medicine is still in its infancy. M. Louis, see Paine's Commentary, 
page 331-2. 

"Men have for ages devoted themselves to therapeutics, and the Science is 
still in its infancy" — "Physicians scarcely agree except on points which are 
admitted without any examination, or as established by long usage which has 
nothing to recommend it but time." — "The reader will be astonished, un- 
doubtedly, that, in the nineteenth century, authority could have been invoked 
in a Science of observation, without remarking that what we call experience, 



EXPOSITION. 11 

even now, is nothing but authority!" — "In fact, to what authorities do those 
most celebrated for the wisdom of their precepts, refer, unless it be to the 
practice of their predecessors?" — "If the experience so justly scorned by 
Quesnay, is an uncertain guide in practice, it is because it possesses nothing 
of true experience; but the reverse; because it is, in truth, only the common 
usage, not justified by rigorous observation." — "The pretended experience 
of authors is worth nothing, and, after all their assertions and denials, we are 
no= further advanced than before; the experience to which he refers, is evi- 
dently tradition, custom, common belief, — an almost worthless thing, — a 
compound of vague recollections." 

C. He ring, in his Introduction to Hahnemann's Organon, says: — 
"Innumerable opinions of the nature and cure of diseases, have succes- 
sively been promulgated; each [author] distinguishing his own Theory by 
the title of System, though directly at variance with every other, and incon- 
sistent with itself. Each of these refined productions dazzled the reader at 
first with its unintelligible display of wisdom, and attached to the system 
builder crowds of adherents, echoing his unnatural sophistry; but, from 
which none of them could derive any improvement in the art of healing, 
until a new system, frequently in direct opposition to the former, appeared, 
supplanting it, and, for a season acquiring celebrity. Yet none were in harmony 
with nature or experience, — mere theories spread out of a refined imagina- 
tion, from apparent consequences, which, on account of their subtility and 
contradictions, were practically inapplicable at the bed side of the patient, 
and fitted only for idle disputation. 

"By the side of these theories, but unreconciled with them all, a mode of 
cure was contrived, with medicinal substances of unknown quality com- 
pounded together, applied to diseases arbitrarily classified, and arranged in 
reference to their materiality, called Allopathic. The pernicious results of 
such a practice, at variance with nature and experience, may be easily 
imagined." — Page 25, 26. 

12. This author is one of the most distinguished disciples of Hahnemann, 
and advocates of Homeopathy, and yet he says, page 17, 

"For myself I am generally considered as a disciple and adherent of 
Hahnemann, and I do indeed declare, that I am one amongst the most enthu- 
siastic in doing homage to his greatness; but nevertheless I declare also, that, 
since my first acquaintance with Homeopathy (in 1821), I have never 
accepted a single theory in the Organon, as it is there promulgated. I feel 
no aversion to acknowledge this, even to the venerable sage himself." 

13. D'Alembert. — "The following apologue," says D'Alembert, "made 
by a physician, a man of wit and philosophy, represents very well the state 
of that science." 'Nature is fighting with disease; a blind man armed with 
a club, that is, a physician, comes to settle the difference. He first tries to 
make peace. When he can not accomplish this, he lifts his club and strikes 
at random. If he strikes the disease, he kills the disease; if he strikes 
nature, he kills nature.' " "An eminent physician." says the same writer, 
"renouncing a practice which he had exercised for thirty years, said, 'I am 
weary of guessing,"' — Abercrombie, Intel. Pow., page 293. 

Dr. Abercrombie adds: — 

"The uncertainty of medicine, which is thus a theme for the philosopher 
and the humorist, is deeply felt by the practical physician in the daily exercise 
of his art." 



u 



EXPOSITION. 



14. Dr. James Graham, the celebrated Medico-Electrician of London, 
says of Medicine: — < 

"It hath been very rich in theory, but poor, very poor in the practical 
application of it. Indeed, the tinsel glitter of fine spun theory, of favorite 
hypothesis, which prevails wherever medicine hath been taught, so dazzles, 
flatters, and charms human vanity and folly, that, so far from contributing 
to the certain and speedy cure of diseases, it hath, in every age, proved the 
bane and disgrace of the healing art." — Graham's Electric remedies, p. 15, 

15. The following is the testimony of Dr. Brown, who was educated in 
Edinburg, Scotland, then called the Medical Athens of the world, a school 
to which physicians from every country lately went to finish their education: 

Dr. Brown, who studied under the famous Dr. Wm. Cullen, of Edin- 
burg, lived in his family and lectured on his system, (a system that has had 
as many advocates and practitioners as any other of modern times), says, in 
his preface to his own work, "The author of this work has spent more than 
twenty years in learning, scrutinizing and teaching every part of medicine. 
The first five years passed away in hearing others, in studying what I had 
heard, implicitly believing it, and entering upon the possession as a rich 
inheritance. The next five, I was employed in explaining and refining the 
several particulars, and bestowing on them a nicer polish. During the five 
succeeding years, nothing having prospered according to my satisfaction, I 
grew indifferent to the subject; and, with many eminent men, and even the 
very vulgar*; began to deplore the healing art, as altogether uncertain and 
incomprehensible. All this time passed away without the acquisition of any 
advantage, and without that which, of all things, is the most agreeable to the 
mind, the light of truth; and so great and precious a portion of the short and 
perishable life of man, was totally lost! Here I was, at this period, in the 
situation of a traveler in an unknown country, who, after losing every trace 
of his way, wanders in the shades of night." 

I would here remark, once for all, that I do not always agree with the 
authors in all the sentiments quoted. I receive no man's mere opinions as 
infallibly true, till I have demonstrated them by evidences that will not admit 
of a doubt. For example, I can not admit, with Dr. Brown, that he "had 
spent all that time without the acquisition of any advantage." He had dis- 
covered many a valuable fact for future use. If he had not learned, directly, 
what medicine was, he had discovered, indirectly, what it was not; and thus 
narrowed the limits of his fruitless researches, as well as stored up experience 
as the foundation of his future medical philosophy. 

16. Testimony of Dr. Donaldson, a Scotch Physician of high repute: 
"I was educated in the Gregorian doctrines of the Edinburg school of medi- 
cine. I was taught the theory of medicine as delivered in his Conspec- 
tus, and was exercised in the Cullenian discipline, divested of all his hypo- 
thetical errors of spasm and atony of the extremities of arteries. I learned 
all the branches of medical science under the distinguished and erudite pro- 
fessors of the most celebrated university and school of medicine in the world; 
I always embraced plausible truths, and rejected visible errors, in theory and 
practice. I admitted doubtful hypotheses to have no place in my mind, to 
influence my future practice. Even during my discipleship, I thought for 
myself, and digested their instructions with an unfettered and independent 
judgment and reasoning, and I had no sooner completed my studies of the 



EXPOSITION. 13 

theoretical and practical science of medicine, and other branches of learning, 
m the College of Edinburg, than I repaired to the schools of London, so 
famous for anatomy and physiology. 

Having finished my intended course in the metropolis of the British empire, 
I launched into practice, under the auspices of a real imitator of the Edin- 
burg school, and a follower of Clarke, Lind, Thomas, &c, and soon had 
ample opportunities of witnessing the great insufficiencies of the medical 
practice of the present day, in the hands of the most skillful administrators 
and practitioners. In this situation I soon had occasion to dissent from the 
doctrines of the schools, but years elapsed before I could bring myself to 
deviate from the practice, which they and the most esteemed authors taught 
in their instructions and works. I hesitated in the old road until I should 
discover a new way by experience and obesrvation to keep me from stum- 
bling on the dark mountains of doubts and errors. I consulted all the most 
celebrated writings of ancient and modern physicians; I searched for light 
in vain, to direct my steps. 

During my travel in the East Indies, in the years 1810, '11, '14, '15, and 
'16, I had many opportunities of trying every method of curing diseases of 
all descriptions, and of proving the virtues and efficacies of all remedies com- 
monly employed by practitioners, as well as making all necessary alterations in 
former modes of treatment, and in the choice of remedies. Fevers, fluxes, in- 
flammations, affections of the spleen and liver, apoplexies, palsies, spasms, &c, 
were the great diseases that attracted my attention, being under my own care 
and treatment in those warm regions, and I was extremely mortified to find 
all my remedies ineffectual to reduce inflammation or subdue many of those 
diseases, by the common method of treatment; and my pride was humbled 
at the repeated disappointments I encountered, in being baffled to cure them 
with the common remedies, carried to the same extent, and administered 
with the same diligence as recommended in books, or by professors of medi- 
cine; I administered purges, barks and wine, with the utmost rigor, in all 
classes of inter and remittent fevers; I exhibited saline purges, opiates, mer- 
curials, sudorifics and nutrients, in cases of dysentery, and found them all 
ineffectual to arrest the progress of fevers, or to cure the affections of dysen- 
tery, in many severe cases. I could not produce an immediate crisis in 
fevers, nor remove the agonies of fluxes; they still continued to return, or to 
torture my patients, in defiance of all the remedies that have been recom- 
mended by Drs. Blane, Lind, Clarke, Chisholm, Cullen, Thomas, Phillip, 
Hoffman, Boerhaave, Brown, Farriar, Fordyce, Currie, Darwin, Jackson, 
Wright, Fowler, Trotter, Haygarth, Heberden, Lieutaud, Huxham, Russell, 
Macgregor, Falconer, Desgenettes, Milne, Dewar, Bisset, Warren, Pringle, 
Buchan, Churchill, Friend, McCord, &c, who are supposed to have delivered 
the sentiments of the medical schools in their days. Neither were the reme- 
dies employed by the most noted of the ancients, as Hippocrates, Celsus, 
Galenus, Asclepiades, &c, &c, more successful in curing febrile distempers. 
Having read and studied medicine of the ancients and moderns, I was able 
to choose those remedies, proposed in their writings, best calculated to cure 
disorders of the human frame, in all climates of the earth, and to employ 
them to the greatest advantages, but, without the knowledge of the real nature 
of fevers and fluxes, I still labored in the dark, and could not effect, in all 
cases, by the use of such remedies, a solution of the disease under my care, 
with any degree of certainty of success in the commencement. I was 
unacquainted with the principle on which those remedies acted to bring to a 



14 EXPOSITION. 

favorable crisis. I longed for that day when my knowledge of the nature of 
the diseases, and of the virtues of the remedies employed to cure them, 
would enable me to cure the severest of them at pleasure, and to liberate my 
fellow creatures from the iron grasp of mortal afflictions, and I began to 
lament the universal ignorance of the professors of medicine, respecting the 
nature of diseases. 

From that day till the present, I never have used the remedies commonly pre- 
scribed by writers on medicine, neither have I followed the doctrines of the 
school in the treatment of the febrile diseases. I determined that no other 
patient of mine should ever become a victim to the common old treatment 
pointed out by professors of medicine, and authors of medical books. In the full 
belief of the doctrine which experience had taught me, I soon had the pleasure 
Of seeing almost all my patients recover from fevers, in the space of two, three, 
four and five days; whereas, according to the old method of treatment fol- 
lowed by my cotemporaries, patients labored a month, six weeks, two or 
three months, under a violent fever and its fatal dregs, and either died or 
were restored by the mere efforts of nature, or languished under the irremedi- 
able consequences of such disease, during the remainder of their lives, in 
misery and infirmity. 

Thus it may be perceived, by the foregoing collection of facts, how I 
came to possess a new doctrine and theory of fevers, and to institute a new 
method of treatment on the foundation of a sure and certain principle of prac- 
tice, deduced from this doctrine in the application of remedies more rational 
and successful than appear in any system of medicine ever exhibited in 
ancient or modern times, as far as I know, by the annals of medicine; and I 
now come forward to open the discovery for the general benefit of mankind. 
In doing this, I shall be under the absolute necessity of exposing and reject- 
ing all former opinions respecting the proximate causes or nature of diseases; 
I shall have to combat the errors of the learned and the ignorant, both in the 
theory and practice of medicine; I shall be forced to reject all the erroneous 
doctrines of the schools in which I was educated; I shall have to defend my 
sentiments against all the invidious malignities and contumelies of my ene- 
mies, on the basis of infallible principles, deduced from and depending on 
the truths and facts which I have discovered in the nature of these diseases, 
by experience, observation, reflecting and reasoning, so absolutely necessary 
to be known before we can succeed in practice. Many self-confident and 
ignorant pretenders to the science and art of medicine, are inclined to sup- 
pose that no errors can exist, in the present theories of the enlightened 
schools of Europe and America, to combat, in the treatment of diseases. 

In fact, no physician whose works I have read, no professor of medicine 
whom I have ever heard speak on the nature of diseases, has ever discovered, 
or even hinted at the cure of fever; all have delivered theories, which amount 
to open acknowledgments of their ignorance of it; or have candidly professed 
the universal ignorance of all physicians in the world, of the former and 
present times, respecting the nature of these diseases. 

I observed the plan of cure followed by the East Indians in fevers. I saw 
the practitioners cure the most vehement cases of intermittent fevers in a 
single day, with such a mathematical precision and certainty, as I never beheld 
in any region of the earth — by purging, vomiting and sweating, <fec. I per- 
ceived that they also cured without knowing the nature of disease, or the 
principles of their practice; and was led to believe all diseases curable, if we 
could only discover the remedies against them and would apply those remedies 



EXPOSITION. 15 

in due time and to sufficient extent, to effect these possible ends. Their 
method of treatment consisted in the administration of a medicine that 
effectually purged and vomited their patients, who were obliged at the same 
time, to use the steam bath, and drink abundantly of warm teas, until copious 
or profuse sweat was produced, and the fever was mechanically reduced, 
leavino- nothing to be done by feeble nature, as the ancient and modern 
practitioners of Europe were accustomed to do many ages prior to the days 
of Bottalus and Sydenham. 

Having acquired a knowledge of these things relative to the nature of 
febrile diseases, I was induced to abandon the common plan of treatment, 
and to institute a new method of curing them with the use of new remedies." 

•17. Dr. W. Henderson, Professor of Medicine and General Pathology in 
the University of Edinburg, in 1847, says: — 

"Some 80 or 90 per cent, of the patients who employ medical practitioners, 
would be better off without them." — Forbes Young Physic, page 94. 

18. Dr. John Forbes, (whose titles would fill a quarter of this page, I give 
here only F. R. S., F. G-. S., Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 
London, Editor of the British and Foreign Medical Review, or Quarterly 
Journal of Practical Medicine and Surgery, Physician Ordinary and Extra- 
ordinary to Princes, Hospitals, &c, and member of almost all the medical 
societies in Europe, ) after drawing a close comparison between Homeopathy 
and Allopathy, says: — (Young Physic, page 98). 

"The most important inferences unfavorable to Allopathy are: — 

1 . That, in a large proportion of the cases treated by Allopathic physi- 
cians, the disease is cured by nature and not by them. 

2. That, in a lesser, but still not a small proportion, the disease is cured 
by nature in spite of them; in other words, their interference opposing 
instead of assisting the cure. 

3. That, consequently, in a considerable proportion of diseases, it would 
fare as well or better, with patients, in the actual condition of the medical 
art, as now generally practiced, if all remedies, at least all active remedies, 
especially drugs, were abandoned." 

"We repeat our readiness to admit these inferences as just, and to abide 
by the consequences of their adoption. We believe they are true. We 
grieve sincerely to believe them to be so; but so believing, their rejection is 
no longer in our power; we must receive them as facts, till they are proved 
not to be so." 

Since I first published the foregoing testimonies, it has been said that "they 
are the mere declamations of a few disappointed men" — that "others have 
found medicine to be a true science," "having, within it, the power of rising 
to perfection," ( 1 ). Those who think so, will please to examine, in the index, 
the list of authors quoted, and they will see that these are the very men who 
have made the greatest attainments in personal knowledge and skill, and 
been elevated to the highest ranks in the honors of the profession and the 
estimation of the world. They all were, and many still are, the most dis- 
tinguished Professors in the most renowned colleges and hospitals; or editors, 
or general practitioners, whose writings have been deemed the best authority, 
and who had nothing more to ask, (16, 18). 

The influence of their honest confessions, has been such, that several of 
their own eminent profession, fearing that medicine would be totally repudi' 



16 EXPOSITION. 

ated and abandoned, have attempted to defend it. Among these, I have room 
to notice here, only Prof. Elisha Bartlett, formerly of the University of Tran- 
sylvania, now of the University of New York. Prof. Bartlett says: 

"I am only stating what every body knows to be true, when I say that the 
general confidence which has heretofore existed in the science and art of 
medicine, as this science has been studied and this art has been practiced, 
has, within the last few years, been violently shaken and disturbed, and is 
now greatly lessened and impaired. The hold which medicine has long had 
upon the popular mind, is loosened; there is a wide-spread skepticism as to 
its power of curing diseases, and men are every where to be found who deny 
its pretensions as a science, and reject the benefits and blessings which it 
proffers them as an art." — "Inquiry into the certainty of medicine," p. 9. 

He charges that medicine has been "blindly and unjustly assailed Jby 
parties who understand neither their own strength nor ours," and, the next 
page, (8), he complains of the distinguished Dr. Forbes as an eminent con- 
tributor to this disparagement of medicine! 

He and Prof. Eve, (who undertook the same task, of defending medicine, 
in "An Introductory to the Third Session of the University of Nashville"), 
commence by showing that anatomy and physiology have become, in a 
measure, fixed, (which no body denies). Prof. B. then comes up, with evi- 
dent fear and trembling, to "the practice as an art," pages 16, 17. 

To prove its certainty and usefulness here, he cites the case of pneumonia, 
gives what is known of its lesions and their progress, (p. 24), and finally says 
that the profession are pretty well united in the faith that "blood-letting" 
(p. 29), and •* tartrate of antimony" (p. 40, 45), are the remedies. With 
these the profession have cured pneumonia, with wonderful success, not hav- 
ing lost, in some instances more than "one-sixth," (p. 40), or "one-seventh," 
(p. 46)! He does not know what would have been the result had no medicine 
been given! The disease is hardly ever left to itself — experiments of that kind 
would be "to sacrifice the interests of humanity to those of science," which 
"we have no right" to do, (p. 35). He quotes a statement of Dr. Fleisch- 
mann, that 105 cases of peritonitis had been treated without blood-letting, 
and "with only five deaths," — rsays this is evidence that no reliance can be 
placed on it, and asks if "any body will believe it"! (p. 43). 

Space requires me to close here, by sayihg that this same author com- 
mences (page 49) his great work on "the Fevers of the United States," by 
saying that he knows more about Typhoid than any other fever; and, after 
gathering up almost every thing that lias ever been said on the subject, 
declares (p. 159) that "the materials for a philosophical theory of fever, or 
of any individual fever, do not exist" (See Nos. 34 to 38). He gives six dif- 
ferent methods of treating Typhoid .fever, and two-and-a-half pages of empy- 
ricism under the head of "Miscellaneous," (p. 104), and concludes (p. 185) 
that "the professional mind " is "in an unsettled and discordant state in 
regard to the therapeutics of Typhoid fever," and (p. 186), that, "After the 
first few days, in cases of moderate or average severity, with no special or 
urgent indication, it is quite clear, I think, that all treatment, in any way 
decidedly active or perturbating, is to be avoided. The tendency of the 
disease [fever, inflammation], in all such cases, is towards a natural termina- 
tion in health: [natural for fever to terminate in health! What a terrible dis- 
ease it must be! C] and there is wo evidence that the dangerous complications 
which are liable to occur, can be prevented by any active interference." 

See Drake on Diseases of the Mississippi Valley, p. 509, ^f 2, 3. 



EXPOSITION. 17 



THE PRACTICE IS NOT AN ART. 

The preceding quotations, which might be accompanied by others of a 
similar character to any extent, the material being unlimited in quantity, 
prove, beyond all controversy, that the medical theories of the schools are 
not the doctrines of science — that they " never were established; but are, 
and always were false." 

The following quotations will prove that " the superstructures built upon 
them," the practices of medicine, are "baseless as the fabric of a vision," 
(Whiting,) and wholly unworthy of the dignified title of an art — that what 
is often called "the art divine" in honor of what it; should be, is, in fact, 
the most absurd and mischievous quackery in the world. 

19. Experience of little value. — "When, in the practice of medicine, 
we apply to new cases the knowledge acquired from others, which we believe 
to have been of the same nature, the difficulties are so great that it is doubt- 
ful whether in any case we can properly be said to act from experience, as 
we do in other departments of science." * * "The difficulties and sources 
of uncertainty which meet us at every stage of such investigations are, in 
fact, so numerous and great, that those who have had the most extensive op- 
portunities of observation, will be the first to acknowledge that our pretended 
experience must, in general, sink into analogy, and even our analogy too 
often into conjecture." — Abercrombie, Intel. Pow., page 299. 

"What is called experience in medicine," says Professor Jackson, " daily 
observation and reflection confirm me in the conviction, is a fallacious guide, 
not more entitled to the implicit confidence claimed for it, than when it was 
thus characterized by the great father of the science — fallax experientia. In 
fact, experience can not exist in medicine, such as it is in those arts in which 
experiments can be made under circumstances invariably the same," etc. 

Characters or Symptoms of Disea.se. — "Since medicine was first cul- 
tivated as a science, a leading object of attention has ever been to ascertain 
the characters or symptoms by which particular internal diseases are indi- 
cated, and by which they are distinguished from other diseases which resem- 
ble them. But with the accumulated experience of ages bearing upon this 
important subject, our extended observation has only served to convince us 
how deficient we are in this department, and how often, even in the first 
step of our progress, we are left to conjecture. A writer of high eminence 
(Morgagni) has even hazarded the assertion that those persons are most 
confident in regard to the characters of disease, whose knowledge is most 
limited, and that more extended observation generally leads to doubt. — Intel. 
Pow., pages 294-5. 

Progress of Disease. — " If such uncertaint)'- hangs over, our knowledge 
of disease," says Abercrombie, "it will not be denied that at least an equal 
degree of uncertainty attends its progress. We have learned, for example, 
the various modes in which internal inflammation terminates — as resolution, 
suppuration, gangrene, adhesion, and effusion : but, in regard to a particular 
case of inflammation before us, how little notion can we form of what will 
be its progress or how it will terminate ! — Abercrombie, page 295. 

20. Action of external Agents. — An equal or even a more remarkable 
degree of uncertainty attends all our researches into the action of external 
agents on the body, whether as causes of disease or as remedies ; in both 

2 



18 EXPOSITION. 

which respects their action is fraught with the highest degree of uncertainty. 
— Intel. Pow,, page 295. 

" In regard to the action of external agents as causes of disease, we may 
take a single example in the effects of cold. Of six individuals who have 
been exposed to cold in the same degree, and, so far as we can judge, under 
the same circumstances, one may be seized with inflammation of the lungs, 
one with diarrhoea, and one with rheumatism, while three may escape with- 
out any injury. Not less remarkable is the uncertainty in regard to the 
action of remedies. One case appears to yield with readiness to the reme- 
dies that are employed ; on another which we have every reason to believe 
to be of the same nature, no effect is produced in arresting its fatal progress ; 
while a third, which threatened to be equally formidable, appears to cease 
without the operation of any remedy at all." — Pages 295-6. See also p. 23. 

21. D'Alembert. — "The following apologue," says D'Alembert, "made 
by a physician, a man of wit and philosophy, represents very well the state 
of that science : 'Nature is fighting with disease ; a blind man armed with 
a club — that is, a physician — comes to settle the difference. He first tries to 
make peace. When he can not accomplish this, he lifts his club and strikes 
at random. If he strikes the disease, he kills the disease ; if he strikes 
nature, he kills nature.' " "An eminent physician," says the same writer, 
"renouncing a practice which he had exercised for thirty years said, 'I am 
weary of guessing.' " Dr. Abercrombie continues : 

" The uncertainty of medicine, which is thus a theme for the philosopher 
and the humorist, is deeply felt by the practical physician in the daily exer- 
cise of his art." — Intel. Pow., page 293. 

22. Prof. Chapman says : " Perhaps we shall ultimately learn to dis- 
criminate accurately the diversified shades of morbid action, and to apply to 
each its appropriate remedies. As it is, we are plunged into a Dedalian 
labyrinth, almost without a clue. Dark and perplexed, our devious career 
resembles the blind gropings of Homer's Cyclops around his cave." — Thera- 
peutics, vol. i, page 49. 

23. Dr. James Thacher, author of the " American New Dispensary," of 
" The American Modern Practice," " The Biography of American Medical 
Men," etc., says, " The melancholy triumph of disease over its victims, and 
the numerous reproachful examples of medical impotency, clearly evince that 
the combined stock of ancient and modern learning is greatly insufficient to 
perfect our science. * * Far, indeed, beneath the standard of perfection, 
it is still fraught with deficiencies, and altogether inadequate to our desires." 
— Modern Practice, page 8. 

24. Dr. Jacob Bigelow, Professor of Harvard University, says, in his 
Annual Address before the Medical Society in 1835, " The premature death 
of medical men brings with it the humiliating conclusion that, while the 
other sciences have been carried forward within our own time, and almost 
under our own eyes, to a degree of unprecedented advancement, medicine 
in regard to some of its professed and important objects, (the cure of disease,) 
is still an ineffectual speculation." 

25. Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, of the Harvard University at Cambridge, 
near Boston, Massachusetts, who was one of the three professors first appointed 



EXPOSITION. 19 

in the Medical Department of that Institution, after lecturing in it for twenty- 
years, retired, saying, of all he had been so long and so zealously teaching, 
" I am sick of learned quackery." 

26. Dr. Rush, in his lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, says, 
"Dissections daily convince us of our ignorance of the seats of disease, and 
cause us to blush at our prescriptions." — "What mischiefs have we done 
under the belief of false facts and false theories ! We have assisted in multi- 
plying diseases; we have done more — we have increased their mortality." — 
Robinson's Lectures, page 109. 

" Our want of success is owing to the following causes : 1st. Our igno- 
rance of the disease. 2nd. Our ignorance of a suitable remedy." — Rush, 
Robinson's Lectures, page 79. 

27. Dr. L. M. Whiting said, in his Lecture at Pittsfield, Mass., "Were 
we to see a sportsman standing beside a grove, continually loading and dis- 
charging his piece, without aim, among the trees, and at the same time de- 
claring his intention to be the destruction of a bird, whose song he heard 
somewhere within it, we should without hesitation pronounce him not only 
non compos, but also a dangerous individual, and fit only for the strait jacket 
or a mad house. Yet such, if we mistake not, is very nearly the course pur- 
sued by many a routine practitioner, in the treatment of morbid conditions 
of the body by medication. Shoot away ! is the motto ; perchance we may 
hit the mark ; if not, the law is our safeguard, and we have the satisfaction 
of feeling that we have done the best we could." — B. M. & S. Journal, vol. 
xiv, page 190. 

The above quotations will suffice for the present, because I shall treat, in 
following sections, of the particular means and processes which constitute 
the art. It may be said that Dr. Whiting here objected only to a " routine 
practice." True ; but what is a routine practice ? Is it not one according 
to rule or science ? Are not the operations of mathematics all routine ? 
What would be thought of the Surveyor, the Navigator, the Chemist, the 
Botanist — any scientific man but a doctor — if he should abandon his rules 
and go to experimenting ? The beauty and excellence of science consists in 
the fact that all its operations are governed by fixed rules, by strict adhesion 
to which, all desired results are insured. Medicine is the only exception. 
Talk to the Astronomer about abandoning his routine method of calculating 
the phenomena of the heavens, and trying this, that or the other experiment, 
as physicians do in the practice of medicine, and what would he say ? His 
answer would be, "I know that my rules are true and my tables are correct. 
If I have not correctly solved my problem, the fault has been mine in the ap- 
plication. I shall try no new plan nor means ; but make a perfect applica- 
tion of the old." 

So it will be in medicine, when medicine becomes a science, and its prac- 
tice an art. The routine practice will then be the only one approved. 

Nos. 6, 10, .11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, all prove the worthlessness 
of the practice, as well as the errors and mischiefs of the theories of the sys- 
tem of the schools of physic. 



20 EXPOSITION. 



THE FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES OF ALLOPATHY ARE FALSE. 

This is proved by the testimony of its most intelligent and faithful friends : 
(Nos. 7, 10, 15, 16,) and by facts and sound reasoning. 

But what are these doctrines ? 

28. Gregory says, " The doctrines of fever are of paramount importance, 
and therefore constitute, with great propriety, the foundation of all patho- 
logical reasoning." — Practice, vol. i, page 44. 

29. Prof. Marshall Hall says, page 98, No. 362, endorsed by Profs. 
Bigelow and Holmes, of Harvard University, Boston, Mass.: " The doctrine 
of inflammation is the most important in the theory of medicine and sur- 
gery. " And No. 365, they all refer us to Profs. Hunter and John Thom- 
son's works on Inflammation, as "absolutely necessary" to give us an "inti- 
mate acquaintance with this important subject." 

30. John Thomson, page 32, testifies as follows : " It has long been ac- 
knowledged in the schools of medicine, that the formation of a rational edu- 
cation in physic must be laid in a minute and accurate acquaintance with the 
appearances and treatment of the different kinds of fever, but that the knowl- 
edge of the phenomena of inflammation is not less extensive in its applica- 
tions to practice, nor less necessary to the acquirement of proper education 
in the art or science of surgery, seems to be only beginning to be perceived 
by medical men. That this view, however, of the subject of inflammation 
is just, must appear obvious, when we reflect that, of all the morbid affections 
to which the human body is liable, inflammation is not only one of the most 
distinct in its forms, and important in its consequences, but it is also by far 
the most frequent in its occurrence. Indeed, there are no external injuries 
of which inflammation is not almost the immediate effect, and but few, if any 
local diseases, of which it is not, in some degree or other, to be regarded as a 
concomitant cause, symptom, or consequence." 

Verily, inflammation must be something very remarkable to be a cause, a 
concomitant, and an effect of the same thing ! 

"It is but just to the late Mr. Hunter, to remark that he appears to have 
been among the first surgeons who became fully aware of the importance 
of a minute knowledge of those curious and singularly diversified appearances 
which inflammation produces in the different textures and organs of the body. 
We learn from his writings and by his invaluable collection and descriptions 
of diseased parts, that he spent upwards of thirty years in the investigation 
of this subject. The grand results of his labors have been bequeathed to 
posterity in his Treatise on Inflammation, a work which, by establishing the 
pathology of surgery upon the solid basis of observation, experiment, and 
accurate analysis, forms a new era in the history of this art. In most points 
relative to inflammation, I shall endeavor to follow that distinguished pathol- 
ogist, as my best and most accurate guide." 

And Prof. Thomson does follow Hunter, most strictly, in these doctrines, 
and from this fact, and the declaration of Hall, Bigelow, and Holmes, above 
quoted, it is evident that the testimony of Hunter will either sustain or con- 
demn all later writers on the subject, and the doctrines of the schools which 
they establish and sustain. But first, more about the importance of fever 
and inflammation. 



EXPOSITION. 21 

31. Prof. Watson says, (page 94,) "Inflammation must needs occupy a 
large share of the attention, both of the surgeon and of the physician. In 
nine cases out of ten, the first question which either of them asks himself 
upon being summoned to a patient is, Have I to deal with inflammation here? 
It is continually the object of his treatment, and watchful care." 

32. Prof. Paine says, " The most important principles in medicine, are 
those which especially relate to inflammation and fever." — Inst, page 464. 

33. Prof. Clutterbuck says, "Fever is a disease of almost daily and uni- 
versal occurrence." — Work on Fever, Preface, page 17. 

IGNORANCE OF FEVER AND INFLAMMATION. 

34. Dr. Southwood Smith, physician to the London Fever Hospital, says, 
"Among the objects contemplated in the establishment of this institution, 
two things were conceived to be of paramount importance; first, the accumu- 
lation of facts by which the true nature of fever might be more certainly 
ascertained; and, secondly, the cautious trial of remedies by which a more 
sure and successful mode of treating this fatal disease might be discovered." 
— S. Smith on Fever, page 1. 

35. Prof. Gregory says, "Fever has proved a fertile theme, on which 
the ingenuity of physicians, in all ages, has been exerted; and a glance at the 
attention which it has received from every medical author, both ancient and 
modern, would be sufficient to impress upon any one the importance of the 
doctrines it embraces. 

"How difficult is the study of Fever, may be inferred from this, that, 
though so much has been written concerning it, there is no one subject in 
the whole circle of medical science, which still involves so many disputed 
points." Still, much as they are disputed, the Doctor adds, " The doctrines 
of fever are of paramount importance, and, therefore, constitute, with great 
propriety, the foundation of all pathological reasoning." — Practice, vol. i, 
pages 33—4. 

"It has been a favorite topic of inquiry among all writers on fever, What 
is its nature? In what particular state of the fluids or solids does it consist? 
The subject has been prosecuted with great diligence, but the result of the 
investigation is very unsatisfactory. * * All their theories are open to 
many and strong objections." — lb., pages 49, 50. "The pathology of fever 
is so obscure, that it affords but little help in determining the plan of treat- 
ment." — Page 35. 

36. Dr. Thacher, the venerable author of the American New Dispensatory, 
says, "Notwithstanding the great prevalence of Fever in all ages and in all 
climates, and the universal attention which it has excited among medical 
observers ever since the days of Hippocrates, the disease still remains the 
subject of much discussion; and its essential nature, or the proximate 
cause of its symptoms, is still a problem in medical science." — Practice, 
page 198. 

Further — Numerous hypotheses, or opinions, respecting the true nature 
and cause of inflammation, have for ages been advanced, and, for a time, 
sustained; but, even at the present day, the various doctrines appear to be 
considered altogether problematical." — Practice, page 279. 



22 EXPOSITION. 

37. Prof. Eberle says, "The history of practical Medicine consists of 
little else than a review of the doctrines which have risen and sunk again, 
concerning the nature and treatment of Fever." * * " It is in this 
department that observation and research have been most industrious in 
accumulating materials, and that hypothesis has luxuriated in her wildest 
exuberance." — Practice, vol. i, page 13. 

38. "Fever/' says Gregory, "is the most important, because the most 
universal and the most fatal of all the morbid affections of which the human 
body is susceptible." * * "The physician must always be prepared to 
expect its occurrence. It is that by the presence or absence of which, all 
his views of treatment are to be regulated; whose rise, progress, and termi- 
nation, he always watches with the closest attention. [He surely ought to 
have learned something about it by this time, if he has watched it for four 
thousand years.] Some idea may be formed of the great mortality of 
fevers, from the statement of Sydenham, who calculated that two-thirds of 
mankind die of acute diseases, properly so called; and two-thirds of the 
remainder, of that lingering febrile disease, consumption." 

Fever is "one of the most frequent and dangerous affections to which the 
body is liable." * * "The greatest diversity [of opinion] has prevailed 
in regard to the theory of fever." — Dung. Die. 

" The word Fever, when used, as it commonly is, to designate a disease, has 
no intelligible signification. It is wholly a creature of the fancy — the off- 
spring of a false generalization, and of a spurious philosophy. What, then, 
can its theory be, but the shadow of a shade?" — Bartlett on Fevers, page 
161. 

The above quotations show us, that the doctrines of fever and inflamma- 
tion are the foundation stones, or fundamental principles of the Allopathic 
system, and that they are very uncertain and unsettled. The following, as 
well as many of the above, show that, in all the books of practice, fever and 
inflammation are counted as disease. 



INFLAMMATION, DISEASE. 

39. Thacher calls it "the disease," (28) — Practice, vol. i, page 43. — 
Thomson (22,) says the same of fever and inflammation. 

"I shall proceed to examine the more direct characteristics of this Protean 
disease." — Paine's Inst. Med. No. 620; see also here no 41. 

40. Watson says, (Practice page 94,) Inflammation is "a special form of 
disease to wlrch all parts of the body are liable — a disease that meets us at 
every turn." 

"It affects all parts, that are furnished witli blood vessels, and it affects 
different parts very variously. It is more easily excited by many external 
causes, and therefore it is more common than any other special disease. 
A great majority of all the disorders, to which the human frame is liable, 
begin with inflammation or end in inflammation, or are accompanied by 
inflammation during some part of their course, or resemble inflammation in 
their symptoms. Most of the organic changes of different parts of the body, 
recognize inflammation as their cause, or lead to it as their effect. In short 
a very large share of the premature extinction of human life in general, is 
more or less attributed to inflammation. 



EXPOSITION. 23 

41. Paine says, (Institutes page 464.) ''Inflammation and fever are the 
two orders of disease which make up the great amount of human maladies, 
and form the grand outlet of life." "The few diseases which do not fall 
under one or the other of the foregoing denominations, are least important in 
a practical sense, and least understood in their pathology." 

"Inflammation and fever have been generally regarded as one disease, and 
they who have considered them distinct affections have offered no analysis by 
which their individuality may be established, and by which each complaint 
mav be readily distinguished in practice. Important evils to the sick, are 
therefore in constant progress from this source alone." "Idiopathic fever is 
a universal disease, inflammation always local." 

But why need I quote testimony to prove that fever and inflammation 
are called by the allopaths, disease, when every one knows that all their sys- 
tems of Pathology and Nosology, are built upon the symptoms they exhibit? 
Answer, because all modern pathologists refer us to Thomson and Hunter, 
for the doctrine of fever and inflammation, (See No. 21,) and Thomson him- 
self refers us to Hunter, (No 22 aboved,) and therefore I am to prove, by 
Hunter, that the doctrines are false. 

INFLAMMATION IS A SIMPLE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACT. 

42. INFLAMMATION. Hunter says, (vol. 3, page 285,) " Inflammation 
in itself is not to be considered a disease, but as a salutary operation conse- 
quent either to some violence or some disease." "Inflammation is an action 
produced for the restoration of the most simple injury in sound parts, which 
goes beyond the power of union by the first intention." 

Again, page 293: "Pure inflammation is rather an effort of nature than a 
disease." 

Again, page 286: "From whatever [exciting] cause it arises, * * it 
is an effort intended to bring about a re-instatementof the parts to nearly their 
natural functions." "Disease" (page 233) "is a disposition to produce wrong 
action." 

This is not "restoring natural functions;" of course it is not inflammation. 

Again: "Healthy inflammation probably consists of only one kind, not 
being divisible, but into its different stages, as being that which will always 
attend a healthy constitution or part, is to be considered rather a res- 
torative action than a diseased one, and would appear to be the effect rather 
of a stimulous than an irritation. The unhealthy admits of vast variety, [the 
causes of disease being almost numberless,] and is that which always attends 
an unhealthy constitution or part, and will be according to the kind of health 
in that constitution or part, but particularly according to the constitution." 
* * " The simple act of inflammation, can not be called specific, for it is a 
uniform or simple action in itself: but it may have peculiarities or specific 
actions superadded," (pao-e 286-7,) [by the causes of disease, C] 

Finally, page 292: "Fever, in all cases or of all kinds, is. a disturbed 
action, like inflammation itself." 

43. Here, then, we are taught the real truth in regard to inflammation and 
fever, that they are one and the same thing, accumulated action of the consti- 
tution, produced, by the vital force, under excitement, and tending in all 
cases to the restoration of equilibrium in the circulation and nervous actions 
— in the words of Hunter, "an effort intending to bring about a reinstatement 
of the parts to nearly [quite] their natural functions." And that all the 



24 EXPOSITION. 

different appearances and results, in different cases of fever or inflammation, 
are to be attributed to the different states of the constitution, or the specific 
character or action of the exciting causes, Hunter's specific action super- 
added." Thus, inflammation in erysipelas, small-pox, scarlet fever, and 
cancer are the same, all proceeding from the action of the vital force, but 
the specific exciting causes are different, each "superadding" its own " pe- 
culiarity or specific action," which gives all the different characters of the 
specific forms of disease. 

It follows of course, then, that the nosological distinctions in all the systems 
of medicine, should have been based solely on these " peculiarities," and not 
on the vital symptoms of inflammation, partial or general, as they almost all 
are. The doctrines of Hunter, then, of Thompson, and of all who sometimes 
adopt them, as Watson who says, (Practice page 94:) 

44. "It is by inflammation that wounds are closed, and fractures repaired — 
that parts adhere together when their adhesion is essential to the preservation 
of the individual, and that foreign and hurtful matters are conveyed safely 
out of the body. A cut finger, a deep saber wound alike require inflamma- 
tion to reunite the divided parts. * * The foot mortifies, is killed by in- 
jury or exposure to cold, inflammation will cut off the dead and useless part," 
(page 95,) are proof that inflammation is not disease. 

45. Prof. Paine teaches the same doctrine, when he says, (Inst, page 
465, No 711:) "Inflammation takes its rise in purely physiological conditions, 
and holds its progress and decline, under the same great natural latvs of the 
constitution." 

If these assertions are true, and they certainly are, fever and inflammation 
being "a simple act of the constitution," always "tending to bring about a 
restoration of the system, or its organs, to the healthy functions," can never 
be properly called disease, and, of course, the fundamental doctrines of the 
schools which make this act and its derangements produced by the action of 
the specific causes of disease, and the combined effects of the actions of these 
two forces, "the foundation of all pathological reasoning, (Gregory, Thomson, 
Hall, Bigelow, Holmes) must be utterly false and pernicious," "and all the 
superstructures [the practice] built upon them, must be baseless as the fabric 
of a vision," (No 5;) nay, more, inasmuch as they are conducted by violence, 
bloodshead and poisoning, they must be "horrid, unwarrantable, murderous 
quackery. " — Chapman, 141. 

It matters not that Gregory, Watson, Paine, Thomson, and even Hunter 
himself, teach, in other places, a doctrine the very opposite of what I have 
here quoted from them. I have reported the true; but the systems of path- 
ology and practice are built upon the false; and they must be false* 

ALLOPATHIC REMEDIES MISCHIEVOUS. 

The following testimony proves, if this kind of evidence can prove any 
thing, that the particular practices of Allopathy, are injurious and destructive; 
not occasionally so, by misapplication or mistake, but positively so, by their 
very nature and tendency. I have adduced evidence which proves that accord- 
ing to the authorities of the allopathic schools, (see Sydenham, Gregory, 
Thomson, Watson, Paine, etc.,) two-thirds of all mankind die of acute forms 
of disease, styled by them fever and inflammation. I have quoted from 
Paine, Watson, and others, the statement that fever and inflammation "make 



EXPOSITION. 25 

up the great amount of human maladies, and form the great outlets of life." 
— Paine's Institutes, No. 710. 

46. " Therapeutics, or the application of remedies to the treatment of dis- 
ease, is the great end of all medical inquiries." Professor Paine says: (In- 
stitutes No. 854.) — 

47. "Remedial agents operate upon the same principle as the remote causes 
of disease. They can never transmute the morbid into healthy conditions; 
that is alone the work of nature." 

' 'The most violent poisons are our best remedies." " Ubi virus, ibi virtus." 
Where poison is, there is virtue! 

48. Hooper says: " all our most valuable medicines are active poisons" — 
Dictionary. The B. M. & S. Journal says: (Vol. 9 page 43.) ''All poisons, 
whatever their differences in other respects, agree in this, they suddenly and 
rapidly extinguish a great proportion of the vitality of the system." Profes- 
sor John P. Parrison says, of one of the most commonly employed, that it is 
"a powerful depressor of the energies of life." 

BLOOD-LETTING THE SHEET-ANCHOR OF PRACTICE. 

49 Marshall Hall says: (Practice No. 302) "The doctrine of inflamma- 
tion is the most important in Medicine and Surgery." And he and others, 
as I have already shown, consider inflammation an acute form of disease, 
which must be reduced. He further says, (No. 819.) 

50. " The subject next in order, in treating of the Theory of Medicine, re- 
lates to the use of certain important remedies, and, among these, blood-let- 
ting ranks pre-eminently as the first. 

51. Prof. Clutterbuck, in his "Inquiry into the seat and nature of fever," 
page 464, says: " Blood- Letting, unquestionably, is the best, because the 
most effective remedy we posess, in the treatment of idiopathic fever, as 
in inflammation in general." 

52. Prof. Paine, Institutes, No. 836, d. says that, for inflammation and 
congestion, " blood-letting is known to be the most efficient remed} r ." " Gen- 
eral blood-letting is the proper mode of depletion, in all forms of fever, and 
in all the active inflammations of the internal viscera." — lb. 956. 

53. Professor. J Morehead, of the Ohio Medical College, in an Essay or*, 
blood-letting published in Prof. Eberle's Quarterly Journal for June, 1837, 
says, page 24. 

"In the whole range of medical science, there is probably no other 
truth better ascertained, or of greater value, than this, that, for inflammation, 
when seated in the serous tissues, or in the parenchymatous portion of any 
of the organs contained in the three great cavities, free and energetic blood- 
letting is entitled emphatically to the name of the remedy: and all the other 
remedial means are to be regarded as but subordinate and auxiliary to it." 

"Under the conditions of disease for which in truth it is remedial, no sub- 
stitute can be found or admitted for it." 



26 EXPOSITION. 

54. Prof. Paine says, Medical and Physiological Commentaries, vol II. 
page 326: "England has not yet abandoned the lancet, and herein Amer- 
ica, it is as ever, the anchor of hope in inflammations and congestive fevers." 

This is the testimony of a large proportion of the Allopathic faculty. To 
quote more here is useless. 

BLOOD-LETTING DANGEROUS AND DESTRUCTIVE. 

I have said the "first indication in practice," this "sheet anchor in fevers 
and inflammation, " is dangerous and destructive; and I prove this by the tes- 
timony of the same men who approve of and use it. 

55. Dr. Hunter said, "blood-letting is one of the greatest weakeners, as 
we can kill thereby. 

56. Prof. J. F. Lobstein savs: "So far from blood-lettingf being benefi- 
cial, it is productive of the most serious and fatal effects — a cruel practice — a 
scourge to humanity. How many thousands of our fellow citizens are sent 
[by it] to an untimely grave! how many families are deprived of their amia- 
ble children! how many husbands of their lovely wives! how many wives of 
their husbands! Without blood there is no heat, no motion in the system — 
in the blood is the life. He who takes blood from the patient, takes away 
not only an organ of life, but a part of life itself." — Essay on blood-letting. 

57. Salmom. — "So zealous are the Blood suckers of our age," says Sal- 
mon, in his "Synopsis Medicinse," "that they daily sacrifice hundreds to its 
omnipotence; who fall by its fury, like the children who, of old, passed 
through the fire to Moloch, and that without any pit)% left to commiserate 
the inexplorable sufferings of their martyrs, or conscience of their crimes, 
which may deter them in future from such villanies — the bare relation of which 
would make a man's ears tingle — which one can not think of without grief, nor 
express without horror!" 

58. Robinson. — "An eminent physician has said that, after the practice 
of blood-letting was introduced by Sydenham, during the course of one hun- 
dred years, more died of the lancet, alone, than all who in the same period 
perished by war. — page 121. 

59. Dewees. — "It would appear, that the first or inflammatory stage of 
puerperal fever, the stage in which bleeding has been so eminently successful, 
has no discovered character by which it can be distinguished from the second, 
in which this operation is forbidden, after the lapse of a few hours." — Females, 
page 441. 

"We would ask: What is the evidence that the first stage has run its 
course? This is an important question, and one from our present data that 
can not, we fear, be answered satisfactorily. Hitherto this condition of the 
disease has been inferred rather than ascertained." — lb. page 438. 

The same author says, page 372, "Our bleedings are not always renewed 
from the arm, for, as soon as we get the pulse pretty well down by this 
means, we have leeches applied over the parts nearest to the seat of the in- 
flammation, in such numbers as shall abstract at least eight or ten ounces of 
blood, and encourage their after bleeding by the application of moist warmth. 
Should these abstractions of blood prove not effective, and pain, fever and 



EXPOSITION. 27 

other unpleasant symptoms continue, but especially great pain and tenderness 
in the parts; if the pulse does not call for general bleeding, we repeat the 
leeching, nor stop until the end is answered, or until we are convinced our 
efforts will be unavailing, by the approach of the second stage or by the ad- 
dition of peritoneal inflammation. — lb. 

60. Prof. Morehead already quoted, No. 53, says: "The intelligent phy- 
sician who has learned by the sad and bitter teachings of the sick-room, to 
judge of the powers of the lancet, not merely understands, but, without any 
glaring impropriety of phrase, may be said to feel, that it is an agent which 
can never be neutral in its operation; that, if not productive of actual good, 
it must have an inevitable tendency towards ill; that, in its capacity, whether 
for benefit, or for mischief, it is possessed not merely of great but Herculean 
force; that, under the conditions of disease for which in truth it is remedial, 
no substitute can be found or admitted for it; that, when employed, however, 
in cases to which it is not suited, results always serious, not unfrequently 
fatal, but too surely follow its misapplication : that, for repairing the conse- 
quences of using it when not needed or improper, no other means exist ex- 
cept the slow and precarious process of nutrition ; and that, in the circum- 
stances under which its misuse is most actively and certainly mischievous, 
such reparative process is almost always suspended, and consequently no 
remedy remains for counteracting or removing the injuries which it has 
inflicted!" 

This is startling language, but it is simply just; and we ought not to be 
surprised at the conclusion justly drawn from the facts stated. 

"Having habitually present to his understanding, a strong and lively per- 
ception of these truths, such a physician learns to regard a resort to the 
lancet, as of all remedial measures, that which most requires caution, thorough 
consideration, and anxious circumspection ; and to hold, as a solemn maxim 
of professional conduct, that, if it is not employed with a judicious and wise 
adaptation to the cases in which it is used, it deserves to be viewed with 
somewhat of the abhorrence that attaches to the knife of the murderer!" 

61. Prof. Marshall Hall says: "The diseases of children best under- 
stood, are those which arise from irritation, and principally in the stomach 
and bowels, and the irritation of teething and inflammation. I may observe, 
indeed, in this place, that, of the whole number of fatal cases of disease in 
infancy, a great proportion occurs from the inappropriate or undue applica- 
tion of exhausting remedies. This observation may have a salutary effect in 
checking the ardor of many young practitioners, who are apt to think that, 
if they have only bled and purged and given calomel enough, they have done,, 
their duty ; when, in fact, in subduing a former, they have excited a new dis- 
ease, which they have not understood, and which has led to the fatal result." 
Quoted and approved by Prof. Harrison. — Therapeutics, vol. ii, page 189. 

Who taught the young practitioner to bleed, purge, and give calomel ? 
Are not these processes styled, by their "Professors ," the "sheet anchors of 
practice?" If so, why not use them till the case is cured? But do "some 
young practitioners " have and lose a great proportion of the fatal cases of dis- 
ease in infancy ? It is rather unfair to blame young practitioners for doing 
what the old ones teach and practice. We have known many a little inno- 
cent to be killed in this way, by old Professors. 

62. Prof. Hall says — Cyclopedia of Practical Medicine, vol. i, p. 296 : 
u The immediate effects of loss of blood, are, syncope, convulsion, delirium, 



28 EXPOSITION. 

coma, sudden dissolution ; the more remote are, excessive reaction, mania, 
coma, amaurosis, and sinking." 

"Amongst the immediate effects of the loss of blood, must be mentioned 
that of a sudden and unexpected dissolution. The patient does not recover 
from a state of syncope ; or, without syncope, he may gradually sink, after 
blood-letting. It has taken the most able and experienced practitioners by 
surprise." — lb., 299. 

We thought the cautions necessary only to "young practitioners f" The 
doctor gives illustrations, numerous and interesting, of the various effects of 
the "loss of blood," to which we refer the reader. It is vain to say that 
these results proceed from ignorance of the indications for blood-letting, or 
inexperience in the practice, as we have proved, and shall do it more effectu- 
ally anon, that the most scientific and experienced can not tell when blood 
should be drawn, nor how much. See above. 

63. Prof. J. P. Harrison says — Therapeutics, vol. ii, page 180: "The 
morbid consequences, which spring from the excessive use or the misdirected 
employment of blood-letting, are of so serious a nature, that the practitioner 
should sedulously guard against them." 

64. Prof. Maguardic, in his lectures in the College of France, says : ib., 
" I assert loudly, and fear not to affirm it, that blood-letting induces, both in 
the blood itself and in the tissues certain modifications and pathological phe- 
nomena, which resemble, to a certain extent, those developed in animals de- 
prived of atmospheric oxygen, of drink, and of solid food." * * "Engorge- 
ment, oedema, pneumonia, and the entire train of what people are pleased to 
call inflammatory phenomena, are products of loss of blood." He considers 
the utility of blood-letting, at best, " problematical, " while its injurious effects 
are at once "positive, frequent, and widely extended/' 

65. " The sudden abstraction of blood by the lancet, always acts in a 
degree correspondent to the quantity drawn, and the ability of the constitu- 
tion to withstand the weakening effect of the remedy." — lb., 183. 

"The immediate morbid phenomena observed, on the sudden loss of a 
large quantity of blood, are, convulsions, delirium, coma, and apoplectic 
stupor." * * " The most common results, when inopportunely or exces- 
sively employed, are, vertigo ; a feeble and slow, sometimes quick, fluttering 
or scarcely perceptible pulse ; cold, clammy perspiration ; sickness of the 
stomach, confusion of vision, dyspnoea, gasping for breath, great restless- 
ness, a deep sense of sinking, and, finally, syncope." — * * * 

"Prostration without reaction, may be protracted for several days, and 
then death releases the patient from his sufferings. Or reaction may come 
on, arjd then we have a series of symptoms, closely resembling cerebral 
inflammation." * * — lb. 

66. Prof. Copland, of London, says : "When carried too far in cases of 
excitement, where the nervous or vital power is not depressed, and the blood 
itself is rich or healthy, reaction generally follows each large depletion, and 
that often exasperates or brings bacK the disease for which it was employed, 
and which had been [apparently] relieved by the primary effects of the evacu- 
ation." * * " Thus, every observing practitioner will have noticed, that 
a large depletion, when carried to deliquium, [prostration,] will have entirely 
removed the symptoms of acute imflammation, when the patient has recovered 
consciousness ; and that he expresses the ai most relief." 



EXPOSITION. 29 

"But it gradually happens that the inordinate depression — the very full 
syncope that is thought essential to the securing of advantage from the deple- 
tion is followed by an equally excessive degree of vascular reaction — with 
which all the symptoms of inflammation return ; and the general reaction is 
ascribed entirely, but erroneously, to the return of the inflammation instead 
of the latter being imputed to the former, which has rekindled or exasperated 
it, when beginning to subside. The consequence is, that another very large 
depletion is again prescribed for its removal, and the patient, recollecting the 
relief it temporarily afforded him, readily consents. Blood is again taken to 
full syncope — again relief is felt — again reaction returns — and the local symp- 
toms are reproduced, and thus, large depletion, full syncope, reaction, and 
the supervention, on the original disease, of some or all the phenomena de- 
scribed as the consequence of excessive loss of blood, are brought before the 
practitioner, and he is astonished at the obstinacy, cause, and termination of 
the disease, which, under such circumstances, generally ends in dropsical 
effusion, into the cavity on which the affected organ is lodged ; or in con- 
vulsions, or in delirium running into coma; or in death from exhaustion, or 
from one of the foregoing states ; or, more fortunately, in partial subsidence 
of the original maladv and protracted convalescence. Such are the conse- 
quences which but too often result, when blood-letting has been looked upon 
as the only or chief means of cure — the "sheet anchor" of treatment, as it has 
too frequently been called and considered during the last twenty years." — 
Copland's Diet. Prac. Med., vol i, page 177. 

On the supposition that blood-letting is a curative, or even a directly and 
properly palliative means of treatment, it is passing strange that it should be 
followed by such terrible effects as above. That, when the nervous or vital 
power is not depressed and the blood is rich and healthy, it "brings back the 
disease." Still more strange, that the "irritation" of "reaction" should be 
taken for inflammation by the most scientific and experienced practitioners. 

67. Prof. John Mason Good says: "The immediate effect of profuse 
and repeated bleeding, is exhaustion. While this exhaustion continues, there 
is a diminution of action of every kind, and hence an imposing appearance of 
relief to the symptoms of disease: but it no sooner takes place, than an in- 
stinctive effort is made by the vis medicatrix naturae, to remedy the evil 
hereby produced, and to restore the system to its former balance of power. 
This balance is called a rallying or reaction of the living principle. The 
arteries contract to adapt themselves to the measure of blood that remains; 
the sensorial organ is roused to the secretion of a large proportion of nervous 
power to supply the inordinate drain that takes place during the general com- 
motion, all is in a state of temporary hurry and urgency, and, for the most 
part, irregulari'y of action, while the instinctive effort is proceeding. And 
hence, no sooner is the immediate effect of prostration, exhaustion, or syncope 
overcome, than the heart palpitates, the pulse beats forcibly with a jerking 
bound, the head throbs, the eyes flash fire, and the ears ring with uuusual 
sounds. Now, it often happens that these concurrent signs are mistaken for 
proofs of latent or increased vigor, instead of being merely proofs of increased 
action ; and action, too, that adds largely to the exhaustion as the depletion 
that produced it; and the unhappy patient is bled a second, a third, and even 
a fourth time, until no reaction follows ; at which time, it is strangely supposed 
that the etona plethora, or inflammatory diathesis, is subdued and lulled into a 
calm, because the patient has been so far and fatally drained of his living prin- 
ciple, that there is no longer any rallying or reactive power remaining, and 



30 EXPOSITION. 

gives up the ghost, in a few hours, to the treatment, instead of the disease." — 
Good's Study of Medicine, vol. i, page 407. 

Here we have the direction of Dr. Dewees, to bleed "as long as the un- 
pleasant symptoms continue, " and the declaration of Dr. Good, that those 
symptoms will continue "until the patient has been so far and so fatally drained 
of his living principle, that there is no longer any rallying or reactive power 
remaining, and gives up the ghost, in a few hours, to the treatment, instead of 
the disease." 

Hence, to bleed scientifically, as taught in Philadelphia and London, and 
wherever these text-books of the highest authority are adopted, is to bleed until 
the patient "gives signs of woe that all is lost." Or, in plain English, it is 
to commit willful murder. 

But it is said that these terrible effects arise from the abuse of blood-letting. 
That we should mind the indications for its use, and not employ it improperly. 

The following will show that there are no sure indications : 

68. The venerable Dr. James Thacher says : "We have no infallible 
index to direct us. It is impossible, from the state of the circulation in fever, 
to point to any criterion for the employment of the lancet; the state of the 
pulse is often ambiguous and deceptive. Circumstances require the nicest 
discrimination, as the result is often very different in cases seemingly analo- 
gous. A precipitate decision is fraught with danger, and a mistake may be 
certain death." — Thacher's Practice, page 208. 

69. Prof. Mackintosh says : "Some patients are bled who do not require 
it, and the consequences are injurious; others are bled who can not bear it, 
and who ought to be treated by cordials, and the result is fatal.". — Mackin- 
tosh, page 690. 

"No physician, however wise and experienced, can tell what quantity of 
blood ought to be taken in any given case." — lb., page 418. 

70. Prof. Morehead says: "Every body has heard of practitioners, with 
whom, in every case for which they did not know exactly what ought to be 
done, it was a settled rule of practice to make trial of the lancet." 

"So often, likewise, have I heard it said, even of physicians counted emi- 
nent in their profession, that, to prevent their patients dying, they bled them 
to death ; and I fear that such charges have foundation in truth." 

71. Opium. — Inflammation or fever, and irritation, being styled by the 
Allopathic faculty, the two great forms of disease, to which the human body 
is subject, and the use of free blood-letting to cure the former, tending to 
produce the latter, (see Good and Copland, Nos. 66 and 67,) the next indi- 
cation to the reduction of the inflammatory action, is to subdue the irrita- 
tion. For this purpose, opium is highly extolled, and as constantly used, as 
the lancet is for inflammation or fever. 

" Pre-eminently endowed with the most diversified therapeutic powers, and 
more extensively employed in its various preparations, than any other single 
article of the materia medica, this great drug requires at our hands a careful 
and extended inquiry into its preparation, composition, modes of administra- 
tion, practical uses, and morlid effects." — Harrison's Therap., vol. ii, p. 530. 

As I never use it in any form, nor recommend, nor countenance its use, 
I shall consider only its "morbid (morbific) effects." 



EXPOSITION. 31 

72. "The constituents are morphia, narcotina, etc. The morphia is the 
only one employed, to any extent, in the practice of Medicine. Narcotina 
has been extensively given in India, as a substitute for ''quinine, and its anti- 
periodic power is attributed to its stimulant property." — lb., 532. 

A stupifying agent must be a glorious stimulant! The chill is a mani- 
festation of incipient reaction, and it is no wonder that the deadly narcotine 
checks it. 

73. "Modus curandi of opium, mid of the salts of morphia." — For seven 
separate purposes, this important and valuable drug is in daily, hourly use: 
1. As a stimulant; 2. As a narcotic ; 3. As an astringent; 4. As a dia- 
phoretic ; 5. As an antispasmodic ; 6. As an antiperiodic ; and 7. As a 
modifier of other remedies." — lb., 534. 

In his first volume, the Professor says, there are but four indications to be 
fulfilled in the treatment of disease ! And here are seven to be fulfilled by 
opium ! And the lancet and calomel will have an equal share. But this is 
not the place for comments and criticisms ; the}' will come in due course. 

74. Morbid effects of Opium. — "A very small portion of opium will 
sometimes produce convulsion in a very young patient. We have known 
the half of a grain of Dover's powder, which is but the twentieth part of a 
gram of opium, [a homoeopathic dose,] induce fits in a delicate child of a 
few days old. Christison relates several interesting examples of death in 
children, from small portions of opium. An infant, three days old, got, by 
mistake, about the fourth part of a mixture, containing ten drops of laudanum. 
The child died in twenty-four hours. The administration of three drops of 
laudanum to a stout child, fourteen months old, was followed by convulsions, 
and death in six hours. Another child, of nine months, died in nine hours, 
after taking four drops. The pernicious custom which many nurses pursue, 
of giving infants laudanum, or paregoric, to still their cries at night, can not 
be two severely reprehended. This practice is fraught with evil results to 
the infant, and should never be permitted." 

In his essay above referred to, Prof. J. P. Harrison says, of opium: "It 
stupifies for a while, and forces the child into unnatural sleep." "It enhances 
nervousness." "If the brain is affected, it increases the disease. Inflam- 
mation in the stomach or bowels, will be made worse, perhaps incurably 
worse, by an opiate." "It is hurtful, because it is contrary to nature." "It 
is a medicine — & foreign substance which nature does not call for, or kindly 
receive, as long as she is in her right mood." "Paregoric, Bateman's drops, 
laudanum, or toddy, lays the foundation for head complaints, such as inflam- 
mations, convulsions, and dropsy of the brain." A small dose of paregoric 
will often induce fits. The intellect of a child will be impaired by it, although 
years may elapse, after the practice is abandoned. A permanent, ill-condi- 
tioned state of the nervous system, is induced by the repeated giving of opiates to 
infants, that never, through all subsequent life, is entirely got rid of by the most 
strenuous endeavors. A tendency, we doubt not, to insanity, is thus engen- 
dered or augmented. Such children pass through the process of teething 
badly. The stamina of the constitution is weakened by it. The stomach 
and bowels lose their tone, and cholera infantum or summer complaint, is 
more apt to fasten on them." — Ther., page 182. 

Whai a terrible warning is this, (also that of Prof. Eberle, No. 76,) to 
mothers and nurses, not to give to their children opiates — "anodynes" — in 
any form or for any purpose 1 What an honor to the Eclectics, that they are 



32 EXPOSITION. 

so much more enlightened and liberal than we are, that they can still hug to 
their bosoms this viper of the poisonous materia medica ! 

The nurses learn this practice from the doctors, who prescribed it "daily, 
hourly," for "seven different purposes." See above. 

75. "Females are more susceptible than males, to the morbid effects of the 
article. We have met with many instances of great intolerance of the female 
system to opiates." — lb., 553. 

That is because opium "acts primarily on the nervous system ;" and 
women and children being more sensitive and delicate, are less able to resist 
its deadly influence. 

76. Prof. Eberle, in his work on the diseases of children, page 199, calls 
opium a " treacherous palliative," under which "the appetite and digestive 
powers fail ; the body emaciates, and the skin becomes sallow, dingy and 
shriveled ; the countenance acquires an expression of languor and suffering, 
and a general state of apathy, inactivity, and feebleness ensues, which ulti- 
mately often leads to convulsions, dropsy in the head, glandular indurations, 
incurable jaundice, or fatal exhaustion of the vital energies. All the usual 
soothing mixtures, such as Godfrey's Cordial, Dalby's Carminative, so much 
employed for allaying the colic pains and griping of infants, contain more or 
less opium ; and innumerable infants have been irretrievably ruined by these 
popular nostrums !" 

Prof. J. A. Gallup, in his Institutes of Medicine, vol. i, page 187, says: 
"The practice of using opiates as anodynes to mitigate pain, in any form of 
fever and local inflammations, is greatly to be deprecated ; it is not only un- 
justifiable, but should be esteemed unpardonable." "It is probable that, for 
forty years past, opium and its preparations, have done seven times the injury 
that they have rendered benefit, on the great scale of the civilized world." 
Killed seven while they have saved one! Page 298, he calls opium "the 
most destructive of all narcotics," and wishes he could speak through a 
"lengthened trumpet," that he might "tingle the ears- of empirics and char- 
latans in every avenue of their retreat." See B. M. Recorder, vol. vii, p. 332. 

Dr. J. Johnson says : " The whole tribe of narcotics, as opium, hyoscyamus, 
hop and laurel water, or prussic acid, are dangerous sedatives, presenting 
allurements to the unwary, with all the suavity and meekness of the serpent 
of Eden, and the deception too often is equally fatal." 

77. Rankin, in his Abstract, vol. iii, page 228, says: "An able-bodied 
sailor, aged sixty-two, took, medicinally, two pills, each containing a grain 
and a quarter of the extract of opium, and was immediately attacked with a 
convulsion fit, and died." " Cases are on record, which show that a person 
may recover from the first symptoms of poisoning, and yet ultimately die 
from the effects of a single dose." Vol. ii, page 32, the poisoning of three 
children, by the sucking of unripe poppy-heads, is reported. Oue died in 
four hours, in spite of the effort of the physician. 

MERCURY. 

As mercury has, for several centuries, been considered, by the Allopathic 
faculty, the most effectual remedy for disease within the compass of their 
knowledge — as they also admit that it is one of the most mischievous agents 
ever used as medicine — that they know not how it operates in any case, to 



EXPOSITION. 33 

cure, or kill — and, finally, declare that it has produced more terrible effects on 
the human constitution than any other article they use — I think it proper to 
quote here pretty largely from their testimonies respecting this "all-conquer- 
ing Samson of the materia medica." — Harrison. 

It is not my purpose to give the reader here its physical qualities, nor the 
history of its discovery and its various uses. My object will be accomplished 
when I shall have presented the best accounts of its supposed medical virtues 
and uses, and its " tendency to mischief when injudiciously used." I begin 
with Prof. Harrison: 

78. "First regarded as a poison, then most cautiously employed in the 
form of ointment, it [mercury] has, step by step, advanced with the improve- 
ments of the pharmaceutic art, in a bright carrier of reputation and favor, 
until it has possessed an immense space in the field of practical medicine, and 
now, by many, it is regarded as the first, greatest, and best remedy Divine 
Goodness has ever revealed, in answer to the diligent search of man, to mel- 
iorate and cure the bodily ills to which man is subject." — Harrison, vol. i, 
page 233. 

" Mercury was first employed by the Nubian physicians, Avicenna and 
Rhazes; but they ventured to use it only against vermin and in cutaneous 
diseases. We are indebted to the renowned empiric Paracelsus, for its ad- 
ministration internally." — Pereira's Materia Medica, page 583. 

" Of all the remedies which chemical science has conferred upon the art of 
healino-, there stands no single article so pre-eminentl)- endowed with a divers- 
ified capability of curing disease as calomel." — Harrison, vol. i, page 168. 

"When we declare that its powers are unique and unrivaled, we only em- 
body the general testimony of the profession in its favor." — lb. 

" Mercury is the great anti-inflammatory, anti-febrile alterant of the materia 
medica." — lb. 

79. Prof. N. Chapman says: ** Of all the purgatives, this is the most import- 
ant, and is susceptible of the widest application in the practice of physic. There 
is scarcely indeed, any case in which purging is required, that it may not be 
so regulated, either alone or in combination, as to meet the several indications. 
It has the singular property of imparting force to many of the mild, and 
moderating the severity, of the drastic medicines. Whenever we wish a strong 
and prominent impression to be made on the alimentary canal itself, and 
through it on the neighbouring viscera, and especially the portal circulation, 
by general consent, it is consecrated to these purposes. It is, hence, chiefly 
relied on in fevers, especially bilious fevers — in obstructions of the bowels — in 
cholera — and is unquestionably the most appropriate purgative in the early 
stage of dysentery. Besides the superior efficacy of calomel in these respects, 
it is recommended by the facility with which it may be administered. Nearly 
devoid of taste and odor, and minute in dose, it will often be taken when 
other medicines are refused, and maybe so disguised as to be imposed on 
the most suspicious or unmanageable of our patients." — Chapman's Thera- 
peutics, vol. i, page 182. (See No. 142.) 

80. "As an adjuvant to blood-letting, mercury is considered the most 
powerful of all the antiphlogistics." "It is almost universally depended 
upon in this country, for the purpose of removing the derangements of 
organization which active inflammation may have produced in many of the 
tissues of the body." — Prof. G. M'Clellen's Surgery, page 57-8. 

3 



34 EXPOSITION. 

81. " Mercury is the great anti-inflammatory, anti-febrile alterant of the 
materia medica." — Prof. J. P. Harrison, Therapeutics, vol. i, page 147. 

" That it cures we know, but how it cures we know not." — lb., 261. 

" Next to blood-letting, mercury seems to be our principal remedy in 
inflammation especially of the mucous membranes of the larynx, trachea, and 
iris." — Marshall Hall, Bigelow and Holmes, No. 577. 

" This mineral [mercury] is a very powerful agent in controlling inflam- 
mation, especially acute, phlegmonous, adhesive inflammation, such as glues 
'parts together and spoils the texture of organs. It is of the greatest import- 
ance that you should accurately inform yourselves concerning the various 
effects of mercury upon the system." — Watson's Practice, page 154. 

It is "a very potent, but a two-edged weapon." — lb., page 154. 

"Of late years various forms of inflammation have been most successfully 
combated by the use of mercury." — Pereira's Materia Medica, page 595. 

As inflammation in its various forms is said to "make up the great amount 
of human maladies, and constitute the grand outlet of life," (Paine, Watson, 
Hall, Bigelow, Holmes,) it follows that the "most powerful agent in con- 
trolling inflammation" must be, indeed, "the most valuable remedy" in the 
materia medica; and it should not be counted wonderful that, by those who 
believe this doctrine, there should be "scarcely a disease in which mercury, 
in some of its forms, is not prescribed." — Hooper. 

82. "According to Armstrong, bleeding is the right arm, and mercury 
the left arm of medicine." — Cincinnati Journal of Homeopathy, page 81. 

83. " There is scarcely a disease in which mercury, in some of its prepara- 
tions, is not exhibited." — Hooper's Medical Dictionary. 

84. "From its [mercury's] power of at once limiting or removing effusion, 
it is very plain how valuable must be its administration in all inflammatory 
affections of important internal organs." — Miller's Principles of Surgery, 
cage 102. 

THEORIES OF THE ACTION OF MERCURY 

85. li Mechanical Hypothesis. — Astruc (DeMorb. Ven., vol. xi, p. 149) and 
Barry (Medical Transactions, vol. i, p. 25) fancied that mercury acted by its 
weight, its divisibility, and its mobility." 

86. Chemical Hypothesis. — Some have advocated the chemical operation of 
mercurials, and have endeavored to explain their curative powers in disease 
in reference to their chemical properties. Thus Mitie, Pussavin (quoted by 
Richter, Ausfuhr Chzneim, vol. iv, p. 305,) and Swediaur, (Practical Ob. 
on Veneral Complaints,) assumed that mercury acted chemically on the 
syphilitic poison, as acids and alkalies do on each other: while Gertanner sup- 
posed that the efficacy of mercurials depends on the oxygen they contain. 
Dr. Cullen (Treat, of the Materia Medica, vol. ii, p. 446) endeavored to 
account for the action of mercury on the salivary glands in preference to 
other organs, by assuming that it has a particular disposition to unite with 
ammoniacal salts, with which it passes off by the various secretions. He thus 
accounted for the large quantity of mercury which passed off by these glands, 
and which, being in this way applied to the excretions, occasioned. salivation. 
Dr. John Meanay substituted another hypothesis, but equally objectionable: 



EXPOSITION. 35 

''Mercury," says he, "can not pass off by the urine, because of the phos- 
phoric acid contained in that fluid, which would form, with the mercury, an 
insoluble compound. It must, therefore, be thrown out of the system by 
other secretions, particularly by saliva, which facilitates this transmission by 
the affinity which the muriatic acid, the soda, and the ammonia of the secre- 
tion, have for the oxyd of mercury, and by which a compound, soluble in 
water, is formed." 

87. Dynamical Hypothesis. — Some writers have principally directed their 
attention to the quality of the effects induced by mercury, and have termed 
this mineral, stimulant, sedative, tonic, and alterative. Those who assume 
that mercury is a stimulant or excitant, are not agreed as to whether one or 
more parts, or the whole system, are stimulated ; and, if particular parts, 
what these are. Hecker fixes on the lymphatics ; Scone, on the arterial 
capillary system ; Reil, on the nerves. 

88. On the other hand, Comodi, Bertele, and Horn consider it a weaken- 
ing agent or sedative. Some think that mercurials, in small doses, are stimu- 
lants, but, in excessive doses, sedatives. This is the opinion of Dr. Wilson 
Philips. 

89. "Dr. Murray calls mercury a tonic; Voght terms it an alterative, 
sedative resolvent ; Sundelin, a liquifacient ; Mr. Hunter accounted for its 
action, by saying that it produced a different action from the disease." — 
Pereira's Materia Medica, vol. i, page 594. 

"For the most part, the local action of the mercurial compounds may be 
regarded as alterative and more or less irritant. Many of the preparations 
are energetic caustics. Mr. Annesly asserts, from his experience on dogs, 
and his experience with it in the human subject, that calomel is the reverse 
of an irritant ; in other words, that, when applied to the gastro-intestinal 
membrane, it diminishes its vascularity." — lb., page 585. 

ITS EFFECTS ON THE .CONSTITUTION. 

90. "Mercury, gradually introduced into the system, seems to exert a tonic 
effect on both the extreme blood-vessels and the lymphatics — that is, on the 
exhalents and the absorbents — thus preventing or limiting impending effu- 
sion, and, at the same time, expediting the removal of that which has been 
already exuded." — Principles of Surgery, by James Miller, F. R. S. E., 
F. R. C. S. E., Prof, of Surg, in the University of Edinburgh, page 102. 

91. "It certainly alters the red globules, and diminishes the undue pro- 
portion of the fibrin, in a remarkable degree, and will, in a short time, break 
down the inflammatory exudations and adhesions among inflamed parts, 
which have resulted from the preceding stages of the disease." — McClellan's 
Surgery, page 57. 

92. "But the great remedial property of mercury, is that of stopping, 
controlling, or altogether preventing, the effusion of coagulable lymph ; of 
bridling adhesive inflammation." — Watson's Practice, page 155. 

93. " We regard mercury as an empirical and perturbatory remedy. By 
its stimulant property, it deranges the vital and organic forces." — Prof. Gol- 
phin, in Revue Medico- Chirurgicale, torn, ii, page 134. 



36 EXPOSITION. 

94. " Of the modus operandi of mercury we know nothing, except that it 
probably acts through the medium of the circulation, and seems, in many 
instances, to substitute its own action for that of the disease." — XJ. S. Dis- 
pensatory, page 350. 

" When we produce a mercurial impression to cure fever, we substitute 
the action of the remedy for that of the disease. 

" The therapeutist will avail himself of this law of morbid action to sub- 
stitute an artificial, definite, and controllable constitutional action, for one 
that is abnormal, unlimited and not corrigible by any power in the system."— 
Har. Mat. Med., vol. i, page 157. 

95. In the same volume, Prof. H. says: Mercury " exercises a curative 
power," (194,) and yet (p. 48, 49) it "promotes scrofula and glandular 
diseases, and hastens decomposition." " That mercury cures, we know — but, 
how it cures, we know not," (264.) " There is some mystery about it," (150.) 

96. "It is not an excitant, but a most powerful depresser of the energies 
of life," (146.) "It is not a stimulant to the»vascular system," (227, 245.) 
"It irritates the heart and arteries, and invariably depresses the nerves," 
(228.) "It excites the heart's action, or depresses the powers of life, as 
the case may be," (146.) "It is the greatest curative agent," (147, 233.) 
"Promotes the secretions, (146.) " Calomel subverts nature," (9.) " De- 
molishes the very pillars of human health," (312.) "Acts physiologically, 
therapeutically, and pathologically," (218.) "I pretend not to penetrate 
into its action further than a careful observance of the phenomena it ex- 
hibits." — Essays, page 177. 

97. " Mercury acts upon the system as a stimulant ; but what the pecu- 
liar nature of that stimulant is, it would be in vain to inquire." — Eberle's 
Therapeutics. 

98. " Mercury produces universal irritability, making the constitution more 
susceptible to all impressions. It quickess the pulse, increases its hardness, 
and occasions a kind of temporary fever. It produces hectic fever. In some 
constitutions, it operates like a poison." — Hooper's Medical Dictionary. 

99. " Mercury excites restlessness, anxiety, and a very distressing and 
irritable state of the whole body. In some, it produces delirium ; in others, 
palsy and epilepsy." — Dr. Bell. 

100. Prof. Drake, in the "Western Journal of Medicine, vol. ii, p. 636, 
says: " Mercury has been found in the bones, blood, brain, and nerves." 

101. Eczema Mercuriale. — "Alley saw forty-three cases of this disease, 
eight of which terminated fatally." — lb., page 588. 

102. Ulceration and Sloughing. — "Ulceration of the mouth is a well- 
known effect of mercury. Ulceration of the throat is likewise a consequence 
of the use of this mineral." — lb., page 589. 

103. Neurosis Mercurialis. — "Various symptoms, indicating a disordere 1 
condition of the nervous system, are met with in persons who have been ex- 
posed to the baneful influence of mercurv, 4 such as wandering pains, a trem- 



• EXPOSITION. 37 

ulous condition of the muscular system, sometimes accompanied with stam- 
mering, and occasionally terminating in paralysis, epilepsy, or apoplexy." — 
lb., page 589. 

104. Cachexia Mercurialis. — "This condition is characterized by disorder 
of the digestive organs, loss of appetite, wasting, incapability of much exer- 
tion, with increased secretion from all the organs, especially from the salivary 
glands. Mr. Travers says mercurial cachexia is characterized by irritable cir- 
culation, extreme pallor and emaciation, tenderness of the region of the pan- 
creas, and the evacuations are frothy, whitish, tough, and often greenish, at 
least in the commencement. These symptoms may be fairly referred to an 
affection of the pancreas analogous to that of the salivary glands." — Pereira, 
vol. i, page 588. 

PATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MERCURIAL ACTION. 

However difficult the faculty may have found the task of explaining the 
modus operandi of mercury on the human system, the following extracts, as 
well as the preceding, show very clearly that they know something of the 
results which follow its exhibition. The reader will please to be careful, how- 
ever, not to be imposed upon, as the faculty are, by the fatal error of sup- 
posing that all these results are the legitimate effects of the action of the drug. 
He should always bear in mind that mercury is a simple agent, and can pro- 
duce but one effect, and that must be for good or for evil — -for the vital force 
or against it; and that all other effects than those that are legitimate of mer- 
cury, must be attributed to other causes. Let him especially remember that 
all the irritation, fever, and inflammation, that follow the exhibition of mercury, 
or any other drug, are attributable to the vital force alone; and that the great 
business of the observer is to ascertain whether the agent which excites 
them acts in harmony with this force or against it; and to prescribe accord- 
ingly. He will see, if he watches carefully, that mercury is said to produce 
good effects, only when controlled by the vital force, and prevented from pro- 
ducing bad ones; and that, when it gets the upper hand, it produces its own 
effects, viz., paralysis of the nerves, ulceration, mortification, sloughing of the 
glands and the muscles, and caries of the bones, which shows that all the 
good ever done on its exhibition, is done by the vital force in spite of it. 

105. Mercury is "a Samson to do evil as well as to do good." — Prof. Geo. 
M'Clellan's Surgery, page 58. 

106. "If it be resorted to as a constitutional remedy in the first stages of 
disease, it will be seen to augment the disturbance, and, perhaps, convert the 
fever into a morbid form of irritative excitement." — lb. 

107. "In some cases the gums slough, the teeth loosen and drop out, and, 
occasionally, necrosis of the alveolar process takes place. During this time 
the system becomes extensively debilitated and emaciated, and if no inter- 
mission be given to the use of the mercury, involuntary actions of the mus- 
cular system come on, and the patient ultimately dies of exhaustion." "I 
have repeatedly seen inflammation and ulceration of the mouth and profuse 
salivation induced by a few grains of calomel or some other mercurial." — 
Pereira, page 587. 

108. "If you push this remedy in healthy persons, inflammation is actu- 
ally produced; the gums become tender, and red, and swollen, and at length 



38 ExrosiTioN. * 

the}- ulcerate; and, in extreme cases, and in young children especially, the 
inflamed part may perish: the cheeks, for example, sometimes slough inter- 
nally. Not only the gums, but the throat and fauces, grow red, and sore, 
and sloughy." — Watson's Practice, page 155. 

109. " Patients who are kept under the influence of mercury, grow pale as 
well as thin; and Dr. Farre, who has paid great attention to the effects, rem- 
edial and injurious, of this drug, holds that it quickly destroys red blood, as 
effectually as it may be destroyed by venesection." — lb., page 155, 

"The facts I have already mentioned show, that it has a loosening effect 
upon certain textures — that it works by pulling down parts of the building." 
— lb., page 155. 

110. "Mercury occasionally attacks the bowels and causes violent purging, 
even of blood. At other times, it is suddenly determined to the mouth, and 
produces inflammation, ulceration, and an excessive flow of saliva." — Cooper's 
Surg. Diet., vol. ii, page 170. 

111. "Mercury, when it falls on the mouth, produces, in many constitu- 
tions, violent inflammation, which ends in mortification." — lb., page 170. 

112. " In 1810, the Triumph man-of-war and Phipps schooner received on 
board several tons of quicksilver, saved from the wreck of a vessel near Cadiz. 
In consequence of the rolling of the bags, the mercury escaped, and the whole 
of the crew became more or less affected. In the space of three weeks two 
hundred men were salivated, two died, and all the amimals — cats, dogs, sheep, 
fowls, and canary birds, nay, even the rats, mice, and cock-roaches — were 
destroyed." — Edinburgh Med. and Surg. Jour., No. xxvi, page 29. 

113. "A very frequent consequence of excessive mercurial salivation, and 
the attendant ulceration and sloughing, is contraction of the mucous mem- 
brane in the neighbourhood of the interior arches of the palate, whereby the 
patient is prevented from opening the mouth, except to a very slight extent. 
I have met with several such cases. In one it followed the use of a few 
grains of blue pill, administered for a liver complaint. The patient remains 
unable to open her mouth wider than half an inch. Several operations have 
been performed by different surgeons, and the contracted parts freely divided, 
but the relief was only temporary. In another instance (that of a child four 
years of age) it was produced by a few grains of calomel. Though several 
years have elapsed since, the patient is obliged to suck his food through the 
space left between the jaws by the loss of the alveolar process." — Pereira's 
Mat. Med., vol. i, page 587. 

114. Mercurial Purging. — "Violent purging is a very frequent conse- 
quence of the use of mercury. It is frequently attended with griping, and 
sometimes with sanguineous evacuations." — lb. 

115. "Dr. John Mason Good, Fellow of the Royal Society, London, the 
learned author of the " Book of Nature," "Improved Nosology," " Studies of 
Medicine," etc., says, in the latter work, vol. i, page 62: " Quicksilver, in 
whatever mode introduced into the system, whether by the skin, the stomach, 
or the lungs, uniformly stimulates the salivary glands, producing an increased 
flow of saliva, and is almost, if not altogether, the only substance we know 



EXPOSITION. 39 

of, which, introduced internally, universally acts in this manner." * * * 
"From the general tendency of mercury to produce this specific effect, those 
who are engaged in working quicksilver mines, are almost continually in a 
state of salivation, and when, which is often the case, condemned as crimi- 
nals to such labor for life, drag out a miserable existence, in extreme debility 
and emaciation, with stiff, incurvated limbs, and total loss of teeth and appe- 
tite, until death, in a few years, with a friendly stroke, puts a period to their 
sufferings. * * * 

116. "Mercury, however, produces different degrees of effect, upon differ- 
ent constitutions or states of the body. In a few rare instances, it has exerted 
no sensible influence whatever upon the excretories of the fauces; in others, 
a very small quantity of almost any of its preparations has stimulated them 
at once to a copious discharge. In persons of a highly nervous or irritable 
temperament, I have known salivation produced by a single dose of calomel; 
and that it is sometimes caused by dressing ulcers with red precipitate, is a 
fact well known to all experienced surgeons. * * * Even the occasional 
application of white precipitate, or mercurial ointment, to the head, to destroy 
vermin, has often excited salivation.'* 

117. Prof. Thos. Graham, of the University of Glasgow, and member of 
the Royal College of Surgeons in London, says: "When I recall to mind the 
numerous cases of ruined health, from the excessive employment of calomel, 
thathavecome to my own knowledge; and reflect on the additional proofs of 
its ruinous operations, which still daily present themselves, I can not forbear 
regarding it, as commonly exhibited, as a minute instrument of mighty mis- 
chief, which, instead of conveying health and strength to the diseased and 
enervated, is made to scatter widely the seeds of debility and disease of the 
worst kind, among persons of every age and condition." — Indig., page 132. 

118. " There is not in the materia medica, another article which so immedi- 
ately and permanently, and to so great a degree, debilitates the stomach and 
bowels, as calomel; yet this is the medicine which is prescribed and sent for 
on every occasion. Its action on the nervous system is demonstrative of its 
being an article in its nature inimical to the human constitution; since what 
medicine besides, in frequent use, will excite feelings so horrible and inde- 
scribable as calomel and other preparations of mercury? An excessively 
peevish, irritable, and despondent state of mind, is a well known consequent 
of a single dose of this substance." — Page 134. 

119. "There is a circumstance, in the operation of mercury, which ought 
to engage the serious and attentive consideration of the profession, as well 
as all who are in the habit of taking it themselves, or of giving it to their 
children — I mean the permanency of its deleterious effects. An improper or 
excessive use of the generality of medicines is recovered from without [com- 
parative] difficulty; but it is not so when the same error is committed with 
the mercurial oxyds. They affect the human constitution in a peculiar man- 
ner, taking, so to speak, an iron grasp of all its systems, penetrating even to 
the bones, by which they not only change the healthy action of its vessels 
and general structure, but greatly impair and destroy its energies. I have 
seen persons to whom it has been largely given for the removal of different 
complaints, who, before they took it, knew what indigestion and nervous de- 
pression meant, only by the descriptions of others; but they have since 



40 EXPOSITION. 

become experimentally acquainted with both; for they now constantly complain 
of weakness and irritability of the digestive organs, of frequent lowness of 
spirits and impaired strength; of all which, it appears to me, they will ever 
be sensible. Instances of this description abound. Many of the victims of 
the practice are aware of this origin of their permanent indisposition; and 
many more, who are at present unconscious of it, might here find, upon in- 
vestigation, a sufficient cause for their sleepless nights and miserable days. 
We have, often, every benevolent feeling of the mind called into painful exer- 
cise upon viewing patients, already exhausted by protracted illness, groaning 
under the accumulated miseries of an active course of mercury, and, by this, 
forever deprived of perfect restoration. A barbarous practice, the incon- 
sistency, folly, and injury of which, no words can sufficiently describe." — 
Pages 136-8. 

120. "I have seen the constitution of such persons [who were supposed to 
have the liver complaint] irrecoverably ruined by active mercurial courses; 
but in no instance did I ever witness a cure effected by this treatment. It is 
painful to recollect that, in disorganized livers, mercury, carried to the extent 
of salivation, is commonly regarded as the sheet anchor, the fit and only 
remedy; for I will venture to affirm, that the far greater number of such cases 
grow materially worse, rather than better by such use of it; and that this 
aggravation consists not merely in an increase of the patient's weakness and 
morbid irritability, but that the existing disease in the liver becomes more 
extensive and inveterate." — lb., page 172. 

121. " If the opinions here set forth, with so much force, be correct — and 
that they are so we have not the least doubt — what incalculable mischief must 
result from a practice founded upon the common notion of the absolute ne- 
cessity of a mercurial salivation, for the cure of what may be properly or im- 
properly named liver complaint!" [Note by the American Editor.] — lb., 
page 127. 

1 22. Abernethy says: " Persons who are salivated, have, as far as I have re- 
marked, the functions of the liver and the digestive organs constantly disturbed 
by that process." — Surgical Observations, page 77. 

123. Blackhall says: "On the schirrus or tuberculated state of the liver, I 
have seldom seen mercury make any [good] impression. But I have seen the 
mercurial habit superadded by continual salivation, and then the disorder be- 
comes more complicated and more speedily fatal." — Dropsies, page 70. 

124. Farre says: "Patients, suffering under chronic enlargements of the 
liver, are not, so far as I have observed, benefited by the operation of mer- 
cury; for, by the time that the most careful examination can distinguish them, 
the progress of the disease has been already so considerable, that the mer- 
curial action tends only to exhaust the power that art will, subsequently, in 
vain attempt to restore." — Morb. Anat. Liver, page 21. 

125. Hamilton says: "The ordinary mode of exhibiting mercury, for the 
cure of chronic hepatitis, not un frequently hurries on the disease, or, by im- 
pairing the constitution, lays the foundation for paralytic affections; and it 
may be truly affirmed that it thus often shortens life." — Abuse of Mercury, 
page 79. 



EXPOSITION. 41 

126. Dr. Falconer, of Bath, in a paper where lie forcibly animadverts on 
its abuse, observes: "Among other ill effects, it tends to produce tumors, par- 
alysis, and, not un frequently, incurable mania. I have myself seen repeatedly, 
from wthis cause, a kind of approximation to these maladies, that embittered 
life to such a degree, with shocking depression of spirits and other nervous 
agitations with which it was accompanied, as to make it more than probable 
that many of the suicides which disgrace our country, were occasioned by 
the intolerable feelings which result from suMi a state of the nervous sys- 
tem." — Trans. Medical Society, London, vol. i, page 110. 

< 

127. Hamilton says: "In a lady who had such small doses of the blue pill 
combined with opium, for three nights successively, that the whole quantity 
amounted to no more than five grains of the mass, salivation began on the 
fifth day; and, notwithstanding every attention, the tongue and gums became 
swelled to an enormous degree; bleeding ulcers of the mouth and fauces 
took place, and such excessive irritability and debility followed that, for nearly 
a whole month, her life was in the utmost jeopardy." — Abuse of Mercury, 
page 24. 

128. Dr. Alley says: "I have seen the mercurial eruption appear over the 
entire body of a boy about seven years old, for whom but three grains of 
calomel had been prescribed effectually as a purgative." — Observation on 
Hydrargyria, page 40. , 

129. Graham says: " Such instances of the poisonous operation of mercury 
are not of rare occurrence; they are common, and only two out of a vast 
number that have been and are still daily witnessed, many of which are on 
record."— Page 136. 

THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF PREDICTING ITS MODUS OPERANDI. 

130. "Some patients are slow to show ptyalism, even under great and sus- 
tained doses. Others have their mouths touched, perhaps severely, with but 
a few grains. Some suffer from pain and purging, in whatever form the 
mercury is given, internally. Some are actually poisoned by the mineral, the 
condition termed erythismus being induced. The system may not suffer, but 
the surface ma)* — a very troublesome eruption occurring, the eczema mercu- 
riale. Some systems evince their intolerance of the remedy by gradual loss 
of flesh, strength, and spirits, an asthenic state, approaching to hectic, be- 
coming established. Violent salivation may be caused by sudden exposure 
to cold during the use of the medicine, or it may depend upon an idiosyn- 
cracy of the system." — Practice of Surgery, by James Miller, page 390-91. 

131. Dr. Bell states that he '-exhibited three grains of blue mass to a 
patient, which caused copious salivation." — Bell & Stokes' Practice, vol. ii, 
page 140. 

132. "It is important to know that different persons admit of, or resist, 
the specific agency of mercury in very different degrees; so that, in some 
patients, the remedy becomes unmanageable and hazardous; while, in others, 
it is inert and useless. It is most grievously disappointing to watch a pa- 
tient laboring under inflammation which is likely to spoil some important 
organ, and to find, after bleeding has been pushed as far as we dare push it, 



42 EXPOSITION. 

that no impression is made upon his gums by the freest use of mercury. 
Such cases are not uncommon; and, unfortunately, they seem most apt to 
occur when the controlling agency of mercury is most urgently required. 
On the other hand, there are persons in whom very small quantities of mer- 
cury act as a violent poison, a single dose producing the severest salivation, 
and bringing the patient's existence in jeopardy. This history was told to 
Dr. Farre by a medical man, under whose notice it fell. A lady whom he 
attended said to him, at his first professional visit to her, "Now, without 
asking why or speculating upon it, never give me mercuiy, for it poisons me." 
Some time afterward she met with the late Mr. Chevalier, and spoke to him 
about her complaints; and he prescribed for her as a purgative once, two 
grains of calomel, with some cathartic extract. She took the dose, and the 
next morning showed the prescription to her ordinary medical attendant. 
1 Why,' said he, 'you have done the very thing you were so anxious to avoid — 
you have taken mercury.' She replied 'I thought as much, from the sensa- 
tions I have in my mouth.' Furious salivation came on in a few hours, and 
she died at the end of two years, worn out by the effects of mercury, and 
having lost portions of her jaw-bone by necrosis." — Watson's Practice, 
page 157. 

133. Dr. Joy says: "We have seen a person salivated severely by four or 
five grains of blue pill, taken in divided doses." — Library Practical Medicine, 
vol. v, page 410. 

134. "Mercury, in any form, excites in some individuals, and more partic- 
ularly in those in whom salivation is not easily produced, a frightful degree of 
erethism, with most alarming depression of the vital powers. We have seen 
a complete but temporary loss of sight, accompanied by various evidences of 
undue determination of blood to the head, supervene upon the occurence of 
a violent salivation, induced by the application of camphorated mercurial 
ointment, for a few days, to an enlarged testis." — lb., page 411. 

135. Prof. J. P. Harrison, in a lecture on Diseases induced by Mercury, 
says: " Its vapors salivated a whole ship's crew." — Medical Essays, page 126. 

" Calomel has inflicted more mischief," etc. — lb., page 128. 

" Calomel, even in large doses, has the effect of diminishing vascular ac- 
tions." — lb., page 131. 

It produces "sore, tumid, and, at length, ulcerous gums, and a swollen, 
loaded tongue." — lb., page 139. 

"Mercury sometimes produces fatal effects in very small quantities." — lb., 
page 147. 

"Mercury is often a most potent engine of mischief." — lb., page 150. 

136. "An inscrutable peculiarity of constitution renders it a matter of 
great peril for some persons to take mercury in any shape. The smallest 
dose of blue pill or calomel will, in such individuals, create the most alarming 
symptoms, and death will sometimes result from the taking of a few grains 
of either. — lb., page — . 

137. "By its rapid irritating impression on the gastric mucous tissue, or 
upon the skin, it [mercury] may act as a poison." — lb., page 157. 

"I have seen another case, in which the child took several doses of calo- 
mel, bafore the mouth became inflamed, and was saved with the loss of nearly 
all the teeth of both jaws and a portion of one cheek." — lb., page 161. 



EXPOSITION. 43 

Another child, of six years, took six grains of calomel, and lost " the whole 
left cheek," and "soon died." Another unfortunate victim of mercury lost 
a part of his nose and most of the palate of his mouth, and died of phthisis 
pulmonalis!" — lb., page 160. 

See the whole essay, in the face of which Prof. Harrison has the effrontery 
to intimate that mercury is not a poison! 

"IMPOSSIBILITY OF CONTROLLING ITS ACTION WHEN IT GETS THE UPPER 

HAND." 

138. The secondary effects of the poison are manifested in "caries of the 
skull; ozena [ulceration of the lining membrane of the nose;] noli me 
tangere [destructive ulcers of the face;] caries and necrosis of the lower jaw; 
inflammation of the tongue." — Miller's Practice of Surgery, page 64, 129, 
130, 136, 158. 

139. " Of the remote evil effects of mercury on the system, much might 
be said." — lb., page 391. 

^'In all aggravated ca.ses of periostitis, mercury is usually much to blame. 
No predisposing cause of ostitis is found more frequent or certain in its ope- 
ration than mercury. The cachectic state induced by the mercurial poison 
seems manifestly to favor the occurrence of fragilitas ossium." — lb., pages 
230, 232, 262. 

140. Dr. Bell, when referring to the treatment of mercurial salivation says: 
"Like all kinds of poisoning, of which this is one, time is required, both for 
elimination of the deleterious agent from the system and for a subsidence of 
the morbid phenomena, such as depraved secretions and perverted innervation 
to which it gives rise." — Bell & Stokes' Practice, vol. i, page 69. 

141. " In producing their effects, all the mercurial preparations are decom- 
posed, and the mercury in the metallic form is either thrown out of the body 
by the skin and lungs, or deposited in the glands and the bones." 

"In Hufeland's Journal, it is stated that a pelvis infiltrated with mercury 
was taken from a young woman who died of syphilis, and is preserved in the 
Dublin Museum of Midwifery." — lb., Note. [Dr. Blundell of London, has 
another.] "In this place we can ox\\y contemplate mercury as a source of 
disease." — Good's St. Med., vol. i, page 64. 

It is often said that, if mercury does not salivate, it passes out of the sys- 
tem and does no harm. The pelves preserved, as mentioned above, show the 
falsity of this declaration. 

We sometime ago read of a case (book and page not now recollected) in 
which, twenty years after its exhibition, mercury was brought into action, 
produced all the above dreadful effects, and destroyed the patient in spite of 
all the efforts of the faculty of a Parisian hospital to prevent it. 

142. N. Chapman, Professor of Materia Medica in the University of , 
Pennsylvania, says: "If you could see, what I almost daily see in my private 
practice, persons from the South in the very last stage of miserable existence, 
emaciated to a skeleton, with both plates of the skull almost completely per- 
forated in many places, the nose half gone, with rotten jaws and ulcerated 
throats, with breaths more pestiferous than the poisonous Bohon Upas, with 
limbs racked with the pains of the Inquisition, minds as imbecile as the puling 
babe — a grievous burden to themselves and a disgusting spectacle to the 



44: EXPOSITION. 

world, you would exclaim, as I have often done, '0, the lamentable ignorance 
which dictates the use (as medicine) of that noxious drug-, calomel/ It is a 
disgraceful reproach to the profession of medicine — it is quackery — horrid, 
unwarrantable, murderous quackery. What merit do physicians flatter them- 
selves they possess by being able to salivate a patient? Can not the veriest 
fool in Christendom give calomel, and salivate? But I will ask another 
question: Who is there that can stop the career of calomel when once it has 
taken the reins into its possession? He who resigns the fate of his patient to 
calomel, is a vile enemy to the sick, and if he has a tolerable practice, will, 
in a single season, lay the foundation of a good business for life; for he will 
ever afterward have enough to do to stop the mercurial breaches in the con- 
stitution of his dilapidated patienis. He has thrown himself in close contact 
with death, and will have to tight him at arm's length so long as one of his 
patients maintains a miserable existence" (79.) 

143. Prof. Harrison, after saying: " Various explanations have been given 
of the modus curandi of this great anti-inflammatory alterant," [mercury,] 
adds, " That it cures we know, but how it cures we know not" (192.) " The 
mysteriy of its precise modus agendi remains unexplored" (225.) 

He has, however, explored it pretty thoroughly, and given us the effects it 
produced, which sufficiently demonstrate its modus agendi. He says: 

"It produces rapid sinking of the vital powers" (24.) " Very injurious 
effects upon the mouths of children — severe inflammation, sloughing, and 
death" (46.) "Palsy, ulceration, and disease of the bones" (294.) "Irri- 
tates the heart and arteries, and invariably depresses the nerves" (228.) "A 
most powerful subduer of the energies of life" (227.) "It brings on a most 
afflicting and incorrigible constitutional disease, which often defies the skill 
of the most experienced and enlightened physician to cure"( 187.) " Slough- 
ing of the cheeks has risen from washes and ointments applied to the head 
and other parts of the body" (231.) "Disastrous effects have sprung from 
these applications" (352.) " Inflicts incalculable evils on the patient" (245.) 
" Produces cancrum oris" (305) [dry salivation that rots away the mouth. J 
" The most revolting mutilation of the face, foul ulcers on the tongue, cheeks 
and fauces" (306.) " Demolishes the very pillars of human health" (312.) 

"Eats off the nose and the bony palate of the mouth" (319.) "When we 
produce a mercurial impression to cure fever, we substitute the action of the 
remedy for that of the disease" (157.) "Its action is not controllable under 
the most judicious treatment" (296.) 

144. Cases and Illustrations. — " Weonce saw a little girl, fouryears old, with 
an attack of fever, who died from the mercurial cancrum oris. Other chil- 
dren we have seen, more advanced in years, who fell victims to the disease, or 
who were mutilated by it, their countenances being shockingly deformed by 
the sloughing and subsequently puckered cicatrization. Upon this topic our 
thoughts have been much directed, from the melancholy termination of cases 
of mercurialism in children, which we have witnessed in our own 'practice. We 
lost a case, from the ravages of mercury on the mouth in a boy of eight years 
old, who was apparently recovering from hydrocephalus. It has been our lot 
to see more cases in consultation than in our own practice, in which death or 
mutilation has occurred from continuing the use of calomel too long, or from 
giving it in disproportionate doses in attacks of sickness in children. One 
dose of eight grains brought on gangrenopsis in a boy of ten years of age, 
who had, several years anterior, been mercurialized. Death, under the most 



EXPOSITION. 45 

revolting mutilations of the face, took place in three weeks after he took the 
calomel" (305-6.) 

In all these cases, the Doctor confesses that the disease produced by mer- 
cury was far worse than the fever, hydrocephalus, hooping-cough, and even 
syphilis, (236,) for which it was given. 

145. Hiram Cox, M. D., a graduate of the Ohio Medical College, and late 
Professor of Surgery in the E. M. Institute of this city, says: " Thousands 
yearly fill a premature grave, who are literally and legally murdered by the 
reckless administration of mercury; yet that same routine species of murder is 
continued and the community sanction it. 

"I have been called in hundreds of instances to counteract cases of poison 
produced by men, to many of whose names, by some means or other, the ini- 
tials M. D. were attached/' etc. "Thousands have gone to the grave." etc. 
"I could enumerate at least fifty cases of poison and death by calomel, that 
occurred in the practice of physicians who were practicing in the region of 
country in which I practiced for seven years, many of whom were sent to their 
grave mutilated, disfigured and partially decomposed, before death released 
them from their sufferings. Suppose each physician of the thousands who 
are practicing in the United States, after the Old School routine of giving 
calomel, were to hand in a list of deaths produced by that mineral poison, 
that occurred within his knowlege and region of labor, what a stupendous 
account of mortality it would make!" "How revolting to humanity is this 
picture! and yet how listlessly does this community move on and permit this 
state of things to exist!" — W. M. Reformer. 

146. In the preceding numbers we have confined our quotations to the 
three great, indispensable remedies of Allopathy — the lancet, opium and mer- 
cury, at once the indices to the character o( its materia medica, and the most 
efficient agents it embraces. But we do not mean to intimate that these are 
all the remedies of that old, popular practice. There are others used in con- 
junction with these, or as substitutes for them. But "whatever difference" 
they may present in other respects, "they all agree in this — they suddenly 
and rapidly extinguish a great proportion of the vitality of the system." 
"Poisons are, in general, the best medicines," saysHooper; and "the greater 
the poison, the better the medicine," has long been counted an almost self- 
evident principle. 

Among the adjuncts to, or substitutes for, the lancet, opium, and mercury, 
we find a great number and variety of agents, of very dissimilar character 
and tendency, as antimony, arsenic, lead, zinc, niter, silver, copper, canthar- 
ides, digitalis, hj^osciamus, cicuta, strychnine and the most powerful narcotics, 
all which are classed among the causes as well as among the curers of disease. 
For example, of one hundred and thirty- four forms of disease enumerated by 
Eberle, he says that more than thirty are induced by the agents used to cure 
disease — as mercury, arsenic, lead, cantharides, stramonium, opium, and other 
" irritating substances;" also by injuries from malpractice. 

Prof. Dunglison also gives us, as the causes of more than thirty malignant 
forms of disease, the same "great remedial agents," with blood-letting, 
tobacco, spurred rye, opium, alcohol, and other "acrid or corrosive poisons." 

These forms of disease are inflammation, acute and chronic, of all or any 
of the organs, as the brain, the tongue, the tonsils, the throat, the stomach, 
and the intestines, the lungs, the heart, the liver, the kidneys, the pleura, the 
pericardium, the peritoneum, the joints, tendons and muscles, the degenera- 
tion and decay of all these, and the very bones themselves. The very worst 



46 



EXPOSITION. 



forms of disease with which the human body lias ever been afflicted, are attrib- 
uted to "the most effective weapons of medical aggression" that have ever 
been prescribed for them, and to the manipulations of rashness in parturition. 
Look to an array of these conditions, causes, and cures. 
First, from Ebekle: 



Disease. 



Cause. 



Cure 



Tonsilitis, 


Arsenic, Mercury, 


Bleeding, 


Calomel, 


Opium. 


Enteritis, 


Drastic purgatives, 


Do 


do 


do 


Peritonitis, 


Injuries in parturition, 


Do 


do 


do 


Hepatitis, 


Mercury, 


Do 


do 




Cerebritis, 


Do 


Do 


do 


do 


Nephritis, 


Cantharides, 


Do 


do 


do 


Cystitis 


Do 


Do 


do 


do 


Hysteritis, 


Instrumental labor, 


Do 


do 




Rheumatism, 


Mercury, 


Do 


do 


do 


Gout, 


Do 


Do 


do 


do 


Ophthalmia, 


Do 


Do 


do 


do 


Eczema, 


Do 




do 


do 


Hematemesis, 


Cantharides, 


Do 


do 


do 


Hematuria, 


Do 


Do 


do 


do 


Paralysis, 


Lead, Mercury, 


Do 


do 




Chorea, 


Mercurv, Stramonium, 


Do 


do 


do 


Dementia. 


Do 


Do 


do 


do 


Delirium Tremens. 


Opium, 


Do 


do 


do 


Colica Pictonum. 


Lead, 


Do 


do 


do 


Jaundice, 


Mercury, 


Do 


do 


do 


Diabetes, 


Do Alcoholic Liquors, 


Do 


do 


do 


Dysuria, 


Cantharides, 




do 


do 


Hydrothorax, 


Mercurv, 


Do 


do 


do 


Ascites, 


Do * 


Do 


do 


do 


Anasarca, 


Do 


Do 


do 


do 



In Dunglison the contrast is nerely the same as above, with the addition 
of some others. 

147. The reader must be forcibly impressed by the number and the invet- 
erate character of the several forms of disease above indicated, that are often 
produced by mercury. The following note, by Prof. J. B. Flint, of Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, to his edition of Druitt's Surgery (page 114,) will explain 
the mystery. 

148. "Genuine tuberculous scrofula is less common in the valley of the 
Mississippi than on the eastern coast of the Union. But a very large portion 
of what is regarded and treated as scrofulous disease, in this part of the coun- 
try, appears to me to be merely the result of indiscreet mercurialization. 
Under the prevalent idea that biliary derangements either constitute or co- 
exist with every departure from health, some form of mercury is administered 
in almost every prescription, and the whole capillary system of persons who 
happen to be occasionally unwell, soon becomes impregnated and poisoned 
by this subtile mineral. 

149. "So, too, if an alterative impression is desired under any morbid 
condition whatever, instead of employing regimen, diet, and more harmless 
medicaments, it is common to resort indiscriminately to mercurial agents. 
The consequences of such reckless mediation [more properly wholesale 



EXPOSITION. 47 

poisoning!] present themselves to the physician in dyspeptic affections, chronic 
headaches, pains in the limbs, called rheumatism, etc., and to the surgeon 
in the more striking forms of alveolar absorption and adhesions, inveterate 
ulcerations of the fauces and nostrils, where no specific taint has been sus- 
pected, and in various degenerations, malignant or semi-malignant, of gland- 
ular organs. » 

150. "Moreover, the evil does not stop with the individual; for, where 
important elementary tissues are so deteriorated in the parents, a constitu- 
tional infirmity will be impressed upon the offspring, which, if it may not be 
called scrofulous from birth, is the most favorable condition possible for the 
development of the phenomena of that diathesis, whenever co-operative influ- 
ences shall assail the unfortunate subject." 

Graham says: " There is a circumstance, in the operation of mercury, which 
ought to engage the serious and attentive consideration of the profession, as 
well as all who are in the habit of taking it themselves, or of giving it to 
their children — I mean the permanency of Us deleterious effects. An improper 
or excessive use of the generality of medicines, is recovered from without [com- 
parative] difficulty; but it is not so when the same error is committed with 
the mercurial oxides. They affect the human constitution in a peculiar man- 
ner, taking, so to speak, an iron grasp of all its systems, penetrating even to 
the bones, by which they not only change the healthy action of its vessels 
and general structure, but greatly impair and destroy its energies. I have 
seen persons to whom it has been largely given for the removal of different 
complaints, who, before they took it, knew what indigestion and nervous de- 
pression meant, only by the descriptions of others; but they have since become 
experimentally acquainted with both; for they now constantly complain of 
Aveakness and irritability of the digestive organs, of frequent lowness of spirits 
and impaired strength, of all which, it appears to me, they will ever be sen- 
sible. Instances of this description abound. Many of the victims of the 
practice are aware of this origin of their permanent indisposition, and many 
more who are at present unconscious of it, might here find upon investigation, 
a sufficient cause for their sleepless nights and miserable days." — Indig. 

151. " The interests of humanity, no less than the honor of medicine, de- 
mand that those who observe and understand these things should utter, on 
all proper occasions, the most unqualified protestations against such abuses 
of a medical agent, whose timely and judicious use is so important to the 
healing art, and thus prevent it from becoming so detestable that its employ- 
ment will not be tolerated at all." — lb. 

Some of my readers have already asked why I have quoted so extensively 
from allopathic authors. I answer, I have done it for several reasons: 

1. To disabuse the public of their arrogant and impudent claims to all the 
medical science in the world, and to the right of the obsequious submission 
of all patients to their dicta in practice. 

2. To furnish those who dare dispute their pretended wisdom and their 
arrogant authority, with ample and effective weapons for defense, and abun- 
dant reasons for adopting an independent course. 

3. I have done it to give ample proof to physicians, as well as their pat- 
rons, that there is neither science nor consistency in their principles, nor 
sense nor humanity in their practice. 

These extracts, from the most eminent of their professors and authors, 
demonstrate as clearly as human testimony and example can do it, that they 



48 EXPOSITION. 

have no faith in the doctrines they teach, either general or particular; and 
that, so far from having a practice on which they can confidently rely foi 
safety and efficacy, they consider their best remedies "the most potent en- 
gines of mischief" — " two-edged swords," that have slain seven-fold more by 
their abuse than they have cured by their judicious use, on the great scale of 
their most scientific practice. 

They pronounce "the lancet the indispensable sheet-anchor of their prac- 
tice in inflammation;" "mercury the great anti-inflammatory, anti-febrile 
alterant of their materia medica;" and opium the "magnum Dei donum (the 
great gift of God) for the relief of a great proportion of the maladies of man:" 
and yet they ascribe to each and every one of these the destruction of more 
lives than can be attributed to the other three great curses of humanity — the 
sword, pestilence, and famine! 

Will not the reader turn in disgust from such a mortifying spectacle? Will 
not the advocate of Allopathy himself here discover the folly and iniquity of 
longer binding his living spirit to such a rotten carcass, and give me his 
attention, while I unfold the cause of all the errors in theory and mischiefs in 
practice, of w r hich the countless hosts of eminent and benevolent men, some 
of whose statements I have quoted here, complain? Can the most strenuous 
advocate of Allopathy longer doubt that there is, at' the v«ry root of the 
system, some fatal canker-worm that stints the growth and mars the beauty of 
its trunk, branches, leaves, and flowers, and blasts its long and earnestly antici- 
pated fruits? Must it not seem to every one, passing strange, that medicine 
should "still be in its infancy" if it ever possessed, within its lifeless shell, 
the elements of manhood? If it ever had a scientific basis, should we expect 
to see such men as Lieutaud, Broussais, Louis, Hahnemann, Brown, Donald- 
son, Henderson, Forbes, Waterhouse, Jackson, etc., surrendering that basis as 
worse than worthless — as chaining down the mind to an erroneous, destructive 
creed — and setting themselves diligently to work to "make new observations, 
out of which to form a sounder theory?" Should we expect to see "American 
and other medical savans" assembling from year to year, and making it the 
burden of their business to strive to ascertain the reason. why their once popu- 
lar and venerated system is losing its authority, and falling into silence and 
neglect, if not contempt and ridicule; while multitudes of other systems, with 
the title of reform, are rising up to crowd it out of fashion and to take its 
place, if theirs, as they have made some thoughtless men believe, were "built 
on the solid foundation of everlasting truth, and had within it the power of 
rising to perfection?" No, indeed! Truth is mighty and will prevail wher- 
ever promulgated and applied. That their system does not answer the end 
of its adoption (5, 6, 16,) is proof irrefragable that its fundamental doctrines 
are not true. But all the authors I have quoted admit this charge, and the 
burden of their efforts has been to ascertain and rectify the error (9, 19.) 
But, as yet, they have failed even in this. Allopathy is no further advanced 
in its fundamental character than it was three hundred years ago; and never 
will be further than it is now, until its present base is revolutionized. This 
glorious work for scientific medicine, this desideratum in its universal history, 
I shall clearly and thoroughly perform in the sequel of this work. 

As references mar the beauty of the page and interrupt the sense of the 
text, I shall make but a few as I pass; assuring here the reader, that I shall 
say nothing that I can not amply prove, and that I will make in the index 
copious references to all parts of the work, where they will be found by far 
the most useful. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 49 

152. Views of Fever and Inflammation obscure and contradictory. Who- 
ever has carefully perused the preceding pages, must have been forcibly 
struck with the confusion of ideas, and contradiction of opinions, that pre- 
vail among the most distinguished medical men, in relation to the nature and 
tendency of fever and inflammation. 

While they all declare that no other subject has so much engaged the 
attention of medical philosophers, teachers and practitioners, they also agree 
that " no subject in the whole circle of medical science, still involves so many 
disputed points" (34 to 38). They are "so obscure as to afford but little 
help in determining the plan of treatment" (35, ^f 3d). At one stage, 
they regard inflammation as the operation that does all the work of healing 
(42 to 45) ; at another they pronounce it and fever the fruitful mothers of 
all mischief — " the two orders of disease that make up the great amount of 
human maladies, and form the grand outlets of life " (41, 40). 

153. The Bases of Pathology and Practice. And yet these "obscure 
pathologies," these "disputed points/' these "problematical" conclusions 
respecting* fever, inflammation, and irritation, "constitute, with great pro- 
priety, the foundations of all pathological reasoning V (28, 29, 35, 36, 41), 
and are made the bases of all Allopathic works on the theory and practice of 
medicine and surgery ; and these works alone embody what is called " scientific 
and legitimate medicine." 

154. Denounce and persecute all who disbelieve and, reject them. Any 
man who presumes to dispute their doctrines, or to practice in opposition to 
the prescriptions based upon them, is denounced as a quack and a murderer, 
and visited with a malicious persecution, that " stops at nothing short of his 
destruction, root and branch." — Harvey. 

155. Fundamental Doctrines false, and the practice mischievous. Hence, 
it is strictly true, that " the very foundations on which their systems of dis- 
ease are built, are and always were false, and baseless as the fabric of a vision, 
(5) ; and their practice has really been, what its advocates themselves describe 
it (5, 6, 13, 21, 26, 27), a striking at a melee of friends and enemies in the 
dark, a shooting at random, at a bird whose song they think they hear among 
the branches (27) ; a multiplication of diseases, and an increasing of their 
mortality (26); a practice of "bleeding people to death" to prevent them from 
living till natural death should remove them, or the causes of disease should 
destroy them (56, 57, 70, 79) ; a perpetration of more destruction of human 
life than is effected by the sword of the warrior (58) ; a production of seven 
times as much mischief as good on the great scale of humanity (76); a whole- 
sale destruction of constitution and life, by one of the remedies the most con- 
fidently relied upon for the saving of life (90 to 151). In short, a system 
of " horrid, unwarrantable, murderous quackery" (142, and 105 to 141) ! 

156. The " error of errors" of Allopathy. The considering and treating 
of irritation, fever and inflammation as disease, has been the grand mother 
error of Allopathists, ever since they adopted it : — the source of all their 
other errors in theory, and mischiefs in practice. It is the retention of the 
same error by many well meaning Reformers, that has prevented them from 
advancing but a few blind steps out of the old dark labyrinth of Allopathy, 
to be plunged directly back again whenever the slightest obstacles oppose 
their progress. 

157. i" shall present irritation, fever and inflammation many times, in 
varied forms of speech, and under various circumstances, so that one well 

4 



50 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED; 

acquainted with the subject, or even "apt to learn," may think I repeat the 
same ideas and principles, and exhibit the same facts and conditions, with 
unnecessary frequency. But, as the subject is of vital importance, and no 
Allopathic writer, to my knowledge, has yet been able to explain it clearly to 
others, or to understand it himself (Bartlett on Fever, p. 159, and Rec, vol. 
18, pp. 113, 129, 161, and vol. 19, pp. 1, 2), I must be excused for giving 
line upon line, precept upon precept, and illustration upon illustration, till 
it will not only be understood, but so plainly presented, and in so many dif- 
ferent views of it, that it can not be misunderstood. Some may think it 
unnecessary to draw inferences from every fact or case. But let them remem- 
ber that Allopathy has long had the facts before her. Why did she not draw 
the inferences without any aid from Reformers? To all objectors to my 
" repetitions/' I would say, I do not ask them to study these any longer than 
till they are thoroughly acquainted with the character and tendency of the 
principles they involve; while I assure them that, when they are complete 
masters of these principles, they will be able to correct all the errors of infant 
Allopathy, and raise it to the dignity of a full grown science. • 

158. I will therefore now give the true character, nature and tendency of 
irritation, fever and inflammation, in language, and by illustrations, so sim- 
ple that the common reader can not fail to understand them, avoiding as much 
as convenient technical or learned words and phrases, for the very reason that 
those who have used them the most, have, by this very means, " darkened 
speech with words without knowledge." 

159. Anatomy and Physiology . The human frame is an organization con- 
structed by the action of a specific motive power, called the vital force, 
through the media of nerves and blood vessels, and with materials suited to the 
wants of that force (Lectures on Medical Science). This body commences in 
miniature, and is developed and enlarged by the circulation of the materials 
to all parts of it, through the media of a series of vessels called a heart and 
arteries, and their dependents, called lacteals, lymphatics, glands, and secer- 
nents ; and diminished and purified by the removal of the effete, worn out, or 
morbific matter, through another series of dependent vessels, called veins, 
excernents, ducts, emunctories, (capillaries of the surface,) follicles, &c. For 
a complete description of the whole, see works on anatomy. 

160. That this motive power, called the vital force, is peculiar, specific, the 
generative cause of the organism, is presumptively proved by the fact that 
no other powers without it, are known to have ever produced an organization 
from inorganic matter, or from even a seed from which this power has been 
expelled by heating or freezing. 

It is demonstrated by the fact that, in constructing and maintaining the 
organization, it overcomes and controls all the inorganic forces, producing di- 
gestion, vitalization and organization, when they, uncontroled, would produce 
fermentation, putrefaction and decomposition, as is the case with vegetable 
and animal food. 

161. The heart is a great double forcing pump, constituting the centre of 
this grand system of vessels of nutrition and depletion. Its form is that of 
an inverted cone, suspended by its base from the walls of a cavity called the 
pericardium, between the two great lobes of the lungs. 

It consists of strong, muscular walls, lining four large cavities, two auricles, 
and two ventricles ; the former a sort of porticos or ante-rooms to the latter, 
and separated from them by valves, which permit the blood to flow through 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 51 

them into the heart, but so close against the sides of the ventricles as to pre- 
vent it from flowing back again in the same direction. 

To understand this well, go to the butcher and get the heart, lungs and 
trachea, and a portion of the aorta, of a sheep, hog, or small calf, and 
examine well the internal structure of the blood vessels and cavities, and read 
the description of them from books on anatomy. Its use is to start the blood 
to every part of the body. 

162. The grand trunk artery of the human body, called the aorta, com- 
mences at the fundus or upper portion of the left cavity of the heart. In struc- 
ture it resembles the bark of a tree, from which we will suppose the wood to 
have been withdrawn without splitting or injuring either the trunk-bark, or 
any of its branches. Or we may suppose the wood to have been dissolved by 
some chemical agent, and removed without affecting the bark. 

From the base of this trunk onward to its extremities, branches are divided 
and subdivided, and extended to every part of the body, generally receiving the 
name of the region or of the organs to which they are directed, or on which 
they are distributed; as, the cardiac (heart); cervical (neck); the brachial 
(arm) ; the costal (ribs) ; the mammary (breast) ; the celiac (abdominal) ; 
the gastric (stomach) ; the hepatic (liver) ; the renal (kidney) ; the phrenic, 
(diaphragmatic) ; the splenic, the mesenteric, the hypogastric (under the 
stomach); the iliac, (pelvic); the crural (leg), &c, &e., through the whole 
system. The use of these arteries is to conduct the blood to every part of the 
body. 

163. The pulmonary artery. Like this aortal system in structure and 
arrangement, there is another tree of vessels, having its base at the right 
cavity or ventricle of the heart, and its twigs in the lungs, and is thence 
called the pulmonary artery. Its use is to carry the elements of nutrition in 
the venous blood to the lungs, for the last process of vitalization preparatory 
to its distribution to every part of the body. 

The roots of those vascular arterial structures, prior to their connexion with 
the heart, may be said to consist of two vence cavoz, whose use is to carry 
the venous blood into the right auricle of the heart, and two pulmonary veins, 
which carry the arterial blood from the lungs to the left auricle of the heart. 

164. Internal and external, upper and lower distributions. Some of the 
arteries are distributed to internal organs, as the heart, the brain, the lungs, 
the liver, the spleen, the kidneys, the pleura, the pericardium, the peritoneum, 
the diaphragm, the stomach, the whole alvine canal, &c. And thus others are 
extended to the external surface, and the subjacent tissue. So also, some 
vessels are distributed to the head and arms ; others, their opposites or antago- 
nists, to the feet and legs. 

Nor must it ever be forgotten that the heart throws all the blood into the 
great aorta at the same time, for distribution to the inner and the outer, and 
the upper and the lower organs ; and that there are no valves between this 
great vessel and the utmost extremities of its ramifications or branches ; 
consequently, the blood of each pulsation will be divided between the internal 
and the external vessels, and the upper and the lower, in exact proportion 
to the resistance which it meets from the different degrees of contractility 
of the walls of these vessels, in different locations. 

165. Warmth and moisture. "We all well know that the warmth and moist- 
ure within the body keep the arteries and their capillaries of the internal ar- 
rangement soft and relaxed, so that they will generally admit about the same 



b2 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

quantity of blood while the pressure on them is the same. But with the 
external vessels it is far different. They are subject to the action of very 
different degrees of heat and moisture, and, of course, are sometimes so 
warm, moist and expanded, (as in a hot atmosphere, or when exercising 
rapidly in hot weather), that they will admit and even invite from the aorta 
a much larger quantity of blood than usual. 

166. Cold and dryness. But the surface may be so cold, dry and con- 
tracted, that it will not admit the quantity absolutely necessary to keep it 
warm. It is evident that, in this case, the blood will flow to excess inwardly, 
where it meets less resistance, while, in the former case, it will be invited from 
the internal organs so as to leave them more free than usual from pressure. 

167. Equilibrium of pressure, atmospheric changes. When the surface is 
only properly warm and active, the external vessels are properly distended, 
and there is no undue pressure any where, the circulation is equalized. 
If this equilibrium is perfect, throughout all the tissues, there may be high 
excitement, (fever, inflammation,) but there can be no injury or disease any 
where, for, as I have just now shown, unless the arterial circulation in a 
region is proportionately far too great, the absorbents are always able to take 
it up and remove it as fast as it comes. There may be full and rapid circula- 
tion, but there can be no obstruction, and of course no disease. But, since 
the contractile pressure of *the vessels of the external surface varies with the 
atmosphere, being sometimes below and at others above the healthy standard, 
it is evident that vicissitudes of atmospheric temperature must be fruitful 
sources of derangement of the circulation, and, of course, disease. 

168. The heart — valves, arteries, capillaries. The heart is constructed of 
elastic, muscular fibres, arranged in such a manner that the contraction of one 
series of them diminishes the cavity, and forces the blood out ; and that of the 
other series enlarges the cavity, and invites it in. Like the gates of a canal, 
the valves at the venous connexion open inward, and those at the arterial con- 
nexion open outward, so that the blood flows into it from veins, and out of it 
through arteries. But, unlike the locks of a canal, instead of the blood forcing 
the valves open to make its way through a cavity of constantly the same di- 
mensions, the cavity itself is alternately diminished and enlarged, for the pur- 
pose of moving the fluid onward. In the canal, the moving power (gravita- 
tion) is in the fluid that passes ; in the heart, the moving power (the vital 
force, 160), resides and acts in its walls. 

The arteries, through their whole extent, are constructed with a coat of 
elastic fibres, circularly arranged outside of their inner, mucous coat, so as, by 
their successive contractions, like those of the throat in swallowing, to con- 
tinue forcing the blood thrown into them by each contraction of the heart, 
along in its course, to and through their minutely ramified extremities and 
pores, called capillaries. They have each (the aorta and the pulmonary) a 
tri-semi-lunar valve at their base (see anatomy), to prevent the return of 
blood into the heart, when it expands. They have no more valves through- 
out the entire system. 

169. Absorbents — veins, lymphatics, ducts, lacteals. Similar in structure to 
the arteries, are other series of vessels called absorbents. They consist of the 
minute radicles of veins, lymphatics, ducts, and lacteals ; but their mode of 
action is directly the reverse of that of the arteries. Instead of conducting 
fluids from their bases to their tips, they absorb them, as springs do water, 
into their minute twigs called radicles or capillaries, (which commence 



• CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 53 

wherever arteries end), and carry them, as springs do water, into larger and 
larger vessels, till the veins reach the heart or the liver ; and the dncts the 
several places of their destination. 

Because all these take up their fluids by capillary attraction, they are called 
absorbents. But the different systems are for different purposes. 

The veins are to take up the dark and impaired, and the lymphatics the 
light and still good portions of the blood that have not been used in the 
arterial distributions, and to carry them back to the heart, to be sent to the 
lungs, revived, and circulated again, "that nothing be lost." Some of the 
veins, as I have said, are continuous from the arteries, others open from the 
parenchymatous substance, and the surfaces, external and internal, of the 
body. 

The veins enter by the vense eavse, into the right auricle of the heart, and 
the lymphatics enter into the subclavian veins (see anatomy). 

The lacteals commence in the mucous membrane of the intestines, pass be- 
tween the mesenteric fold of the peritoneum, and cast their contents, with the 
lymph from the lower body, into thfe receptaculum chyli, the large cavity of 
the thoracic duct, a vessel which commences in the abdomen, passes through 
the chest and enters the left subclavian vein near its junction with the jugular. 

The ducts commence in glands, and carry their peculiar fluids to their 
places of use (as the hepatic, the pancreatic) ; or of elimination (as the 
nasal, the renal), or of both, as the lacrymal. Their coats are constructed like 
those of the arteries, and they act in the same manner, but in the reverse 
direction, that is, from twig to trunk. The veins, like the arteries (162), 
are antagonistic in their distribution and action. 

170. Balance of secrenents and absorbents. From the above description 
of the structure of the absorbents, it is seen that they take in their fluids 
chiefly by the simple power of capillary attraction, only a portion of the 
arteries being continuous into the veins, and none into any of the other ab- 
sorbents. It follows, of course, that the egress of the blood, out of the 
arteries, which is aided by the strong muscular power of the heart, will 
be more easily effected than the absortion of fluids into the veins, &c , 
which have not the advantage of any heart power to aid them, and that 
some means should be devised to keep up a balance between secernents and 
absorbents. 

Since fluids can pass into a part more easily than they can pass out of it ; 
and since, under every extra excitement, more blood is sent for a time to that 
part, it follows that the radicles of the absorbents should be much more nu- 
merous than the capillaries of the arteries and secernents, in order to insure, 
at all times, a free circulation of the fluids, and a proper depuration of the 
system. This we find to be the case. 

171. Excess of absorbents over secernents. The absorbents are so much 
larger and more numerous than the arterial capillaries, that no sudden and 
not long-continued inflammatory distension, can prevent the absorbents from 
removing the excessively accumulated fluid soon after the exciting causes 
cease to act. Hence, though all extraordinary excitements accumulate, for a 
time, an excess of blood in the capillaries, it is soon dissipated by the superior 
capability of absorption over arterial determination and secretion. 

172. Destruction of this equilibrium. It is the destruction of this general 
equilibrium of the internal and external, upper and lower circulations, 
secretions and excretions, that causes all the disease connected with, or 



54 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, , 

exciting irritations, fevers, inflammations, pains, headaches, conghs, sneezings, 
vomitings, purgings, &c, &c, and all the derangements of secretions, that 
poor human "flesh is heir to." 

173. Antagonisms of Veins. As with the arteries (164), so with the 
veins, there is an inner and outer and an upper and lower antagonism in their 
arrangement, of which the derangements also are antagonistic, and liable to 
produce all the various forms of irritation, fever and inflammation as sug- 
gested in 172. 

174. Balance of Circulation, health. When the body is under ordinary 
excitement, and all the blood that is thrown by the arteries into the system, 
except what is used for nutrition or elimination from surfaces, secreted or 
excreted from glands, &c, together with the effete or worn out material of 
parts, is readily taken up by the absorbents, and moved away, — this is the 
equilibrium of the circulation, and the condition of the organs which is 
necessary to maintain all these operations steadily, and in a proper manner, is 
health. Under immoderate excitement the blood flows more freely to and 
through every part that is free from obstruction or compression ; the heart 
expands boldly and quickly; the pulse becomes full, soft and gracefully flow- 
ing; the whole tissue swells with the accumulated fluid, and all the power of 
all the absorbents is brought into action. If the current from the heart and 
arteries be not so full nor so long continued, as to expand the capillaries to 
such a degree that they will compress the mouths of the absorbents so much 
that they can not take up the superabundant fluids presented, all is still well, 
and that state of the system is still called health; but often u high health" 
or that degree of it at which we are said to be in danger of disease. 

175. Obstructions to Absorption — consequences. But, when the pressure is 
continued and increased till the absorbents become too much collapsed to take 
up and remove the fluids supplied, there is an obstruction to the circulation, 
the power of secretion is greater than that of absorption ; and, if this condi- 
tion continues long, the capillaries of the arteries are fatigued and prostrated, 
and deprived of their ability to recover their natural and healthy dimensions 
and actions; the blood being the natural stimulus of the arterial capillaries, 
will excite still further their efforts to act, and this excitement will generate 
more heat. This heat will still further excite the nerves and give pain, and 
by combining with the blood will sometimes expand and redden the part, 
producing the four circumstances, heat, redness, pain and swelling, some of 
which attend many of, but not all the cases of what are called inflammation. 
This inability of the arterial capillaries to contract and of the absorbents to 
expand, is called disease; though both may be capable of recovering their 
healthy state, as soon as the surface is warmed, relaxed and expanded, so as 
to recover its proper share of blood, and relieve pressure to the distended 
capillaries. 

176. All irritationSy fevers and inflammations, in whatever parts of the 
body, or by whatever means excited, consist essentially in vital manifestations, 
excited by excesses of nervous action, or derangements of the equilibrium of 
the circulation. Irritation is excess or derangement of the nervous actions ; 
for the nerves too have their corresponding internal and external, upper and 
lower distributions and antagonisms, and the same equilibrium of vital action 
when unobstructed: and all their "irritations" and "paius/' "deliriums" 
and insanities, consist in the vital results of simple derangements of the 
equilibrium of their action. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 55 

177. Causes of Disease. — Disease itself. Whatever can check the free flow 
of blood through an artery or its capillaries, or into the mouths of the ab- 
sorbents; as mechanical pressure, sitting or lying long in one position, 
keeping the limbs bent, or wearing tight clothing; or whatever can, from 
within, either block up the capillaries, as morbid secretions, or cause them to 
contract, as do astringent and gaseous poisons, may obstruct the circulation 
or nervous action, and cause disease, the form of which will depend not on 
the vital force, but the character of the obstructing cause. The inability of 
the tissues to recover their normal condition and action, is the sum and essence 
of disease, no matter in what organ or in what condition of it, that inability 
consists, whether in contraction or relaxation, obstruction, paralysis or lesion. 

178. The Nervous System. In the human body, we discover also several 
organic arrangements styled collectively the nervous system. They consist of 
masses of albuminous and fibrous substances, of different sizes, appearances 
and textures; located, some within the skull, others within the spinal column, 
others outside of the spine and between it and the pleura or the peritoneum, 
others on the arteries, &c, taking their names much as do the arteries, and 
connecting with each other by cords of the same material, of different sizes; 
and with other cords ramified into all parts of the body. They are divided by 
their properties or offices, into five classes — the sensitive, the motive, the 
respiratory, the splanchnic and the intellectual and affective. 

179. The Sensitive Nerves. The sensitive nerves have for their origin, five 
localities or places from which they seem to commence the performance of 
their functions; viz. the nose, the eyes, the mouth, the ears and the general 
dermoid (outer) surface. From these localities are extended solid cords of 
mucous oralbuminous matter, into the cavity of the skull, to the head of the 
medulla oblongata, called the centre of perception. Their action gives us 
acquaintance with external objects. 

180. The Motive (motor) Nerves. From the last locality are returned 
again other cords of like appearance, and to some extent enclosed in the same 
membranes (neurilemma), to all parts of the muscular structures that perform 
what are called voluntary motions. These constitute the two anterior, and the 
sensitive the two posterior, pillars of the spinal cord, and both together are 
called the nerves of external relation, because they make us acquainted with 
external things, and enable us to move about among them, and to act in rela- 
tion to them. 

181. The Respiratory Nerves. Another series of nerves is found, consti- 
tuting primarily the middle and lateral pillars of the spinal column, included 
within the neck and chest (cervix and thorax), and extended to all those 
muscles whose action directly produces the expansion and contraction of the 
chest, and these are called respiratory nerves. 

182. The Sympathetic Nerves. Again, there are visible in the great 
cavities of the body — the chest and the abdomen — outside of the pleura and 
the peritoneum, and more immediately connected with the circulating appa- 
ratuses, knots, plexuses, or ganglions of mucous matter, from which nervous 
cords are extended (at least in their influence) to the heart, arteries, glands, 
veins, ducts, and surfaces, wherever the circulation of fluids of any kind is 
conducted. This system of nerves is called the vegetative and the nutritive, 
because it presides over the growth and nutrition of the body; the splanch- 
nic, because it is found prominent among the splanchnica or viscera of the 
body, and the sympathetic, because it is designed to carry impressions from 



5Q ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

one series of organs to another ; and the fact that it does carry impressions 
hoth from distant organs to the mind, and from the mind to distant organs; 
from the dermoid (skin) surface to the mucous, and from the mucous (inner) 
to the dermoid or outer, as manifested in the mental operations of love, and 
of hatred or disgust, in the relation of chills and fever, of perspiration and 
diarrhoea, is proof that this system, like that of external relation, is double, 
or active and reactive. 

183. The Intellectual Nerves. Lastly, there are large portions of nervous 
matter above, before, behind, beside, and below the top of the spinal cord 
called the medulla oblongata, all lying in convolutions within the compass of 
the skull. These I call intellectual nerves. Their use is to perform the 
operations of perception, reflection and judgment; also of affection and all the 
animal emotions. For particular descriptions of all the systems of nervous 
arrangements, see works on anatomy, physiology and phrenology; also my 
Lectures on Medical Science. 

1^4. Sympathetic Antagonisms. From this view of the nervous system, 
we see that it has an external distribution which is affected by external causes; 
and an internal, influenced by internal causes, including the vital force. We 
also perceive that its superior and inferior distributions are opposed to each 
other and, through the sympathetic, sympathize with each other. These are 
its antagonisms. 

185. Healthy State of Nerves. When all these systems are in perfect 
order, and their action is unobstructed, they are said to be healthy or in 
health. In this case, there is, or may be, a perfect equilibrium of action, and 
therefore can be no such thing as nervous disease. But, 

186. The derangements of their ability to respond with equal facility to 
the action of the vital force, are the essence of all forms of " nervous dis- 
ease," and the excitiug causes of those derangements and the states thus pro- 
duced, are what the physiologist should ever carefully avoid, and the physician 
as carefully remove. But men who count irritation, fever and inflammation 
disease, can never enter even the portico of the beautiful temple of Hygeia and 
of scientific and successful medication. 

187. The object of these nervous centres or systems, is to constitute the 
primary seats of the vital force ; and that of their connexions and ramifica- 
tions is to serve as conductors of that force to every part of the body, and as 
instruments through which it moves every part to normal or healthy action. 

188. The vital force may be said to be fixed in every tissue, to an extent 
and degree sufficient, under ordinary circumstances, to preserve that tissue 
from decomposition, and to enable it to perform the functions necessary to the 
supply of its own wants. It manifests itself in the healthy condition of all 
the tissues, in the ordinary circulation of the blood, in the life sustaining 
secretions throughout the system, and the respiration while asleep. 

189. Vital force, cumulative by stimuli, and available. This force is 
capable of being accumulated by its own action, and made available by the 
will, as in thought, speaking, running, the exercise of love or hatred; — or by 
external excitants, as electricity, caloric; or by the application of material 
substances — all which are called stimuli. Thus, if bruised mustard seed, or 
a nettle, or a solution of pepper, or any acrid drug be applied to a portion of 
the external surface, or taken internally, the sensitive nerves are aroused to 
a higher action than before, causing pain which manifests an increase of the 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 57 

vital force. This increase may be propagated or extended to other tissues — 
hence I call it available, or capable of being used for other purposes than the 
mere sustenance of the tissue. 

190. How manifested — effects — disease. This degree of vital force is mani- 
fested in the exercise of all the senses, in every locomotion, in thinking, 
speaking, &c, for all which purposes it can be accumulated at will, and trans- 
ferred from one point to another; as from limb to limb in walking; hand to 
hand in gesticulation; from perception to reason and reason to emotion in 
argument : but, while it may be regulated at will, there is no objection to its 
use. It may also be accumulated against the will, as in a burn, or a blister, 
but by whatever means excited, it can not long be continued in some parts 
without weakening in others, the power to preserve an equilibrium of action 
in all. Thus, a severe and long continued concentration of the vital force 
on the brain, so drains the power from the muscular structures, that the limbs 
are unable to perform their proper offices, while it also over-works and pros- 
trates the brain itself, and this inability of both parts of the system to perform 
their proper functions, is disease. 

191. The over excited action of the organs of perception and intellect, by 
whatever means aroused, is at first called nervous or brain fever ; if long 
continued and intense, it is called inflammation of the brain or phrenitis. It 
is still, however, the same action, and from the same cause (the vital forCe) 
as when induced by study; and is no more disease in one case than in 
another. 

192. The first great error of medical men consists in their considering this 
nervous and arterial excitement disease, and in making war against it. 

193. The second great error consists in supposing that the different mani- 
festations of this vital derangement, are caused by differences in its nature, > 
instead of mere differences in the circumstances under which it is excited. 
Thus they call grief, anger, love-sickness &c, different diseases. 

194. A third error consists in supposing that the organic locality of the 
affection makes a difference in its essential nature : thus they have different 
kinds of insanity ; instead of including all cases of it in the general category 
of derangement of the equilibrium of nervous action. 

195. A fourth error consists in their considering the derangement different 
because it is found on tissues of different nervous endowment; thus, they count 
phrenitis and sciatica and tetanus, very different diseases, though they are all 
simple derangements of nervous capability of action ; and are cured by equal- 
izing their physiological capabilities. 

196. A fifth error consists in their considering and treating derangements 
of the circulation as something different from those of the nervous action; 
when, in fact, they are the same thing, essentially, viz. derangement of the 
equilibrium of the vital force, no matter on what organ or tissue (19-4, 195) 
it is observed. 

197. A sixth great error consists in their considering fever and inflamma- 
tion different and distinct diseases; when in fact they are different only in 
stage and extent, and no disease at all. 

198. A seventh error, is, like the one of the nerves, the counting and treat- 
ing of inflammation of the different organs or tissues as distinct diseases, 
instead of the same. Thus, inflammation of the ear, and gout, are by them 



58 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

called different diseases, and treated differently, whereas they are the same, 
and removed by equalizing the circulation. 

199. An eighth error, grows necessarily out of the first, viz. That all 
these vital manifestations being disease, must be treated with lancets and 
poisons, and other means and processes that ruin the constitution. This is 
the great error of errors of Allopathic Therapeutics. 

200. Health — disease. Thus it is perceived that the nerves possess a 
property, quality or capability, or disposition to act more promptly and vio- 
lently than usual, on the application of their proper stimuli. To preserve this 
capacity for equilibrium, is to preserve health — to destroy it is to produce 
disease. 

201. Each of the nervous arrangements is excited to action by its appro- 
priate character of stimuli. Thus, the general sense and the taste, by gross 
matter jn massive form of irritating and sapid substances, or by materio-motive 
powers, as caloric and electricity; the smelling by matter in its extremely 
minute, elementary or proximate forms ; the hearing by waves of the atmos- 
phere; the seeing by light, and the intellectual, the motor, the respiratory 
and the splanchnic, by the vital force alone (the latter through the medium 
of the blood.) 

202. All the nervous manifestations of vital action, save the respiratory 
and the nutritive, may be quiescent for considerable intervals of time, without 
any injury to the organs. So may some of the functions of the splanchnic, as 
generation, gestation and lactation, in which the available vital power only is 
manifested. 

203. Irritability and excitability are terms used to represent the ability, 
disposition or property of a tissue to respond to the influence of its appropriate 
stimulus. It is most commonly applied to nerves, muscles and blood-vessels, 
though properly speaking it belongs to every tissue save the mere earthy 
matter of bone, and the nails and hair. 

Irritation, excitation and excitement, are used to signify both the applica- 
tion of a stimulus to a tissue, and the action of that tissue when so irritated. 

204. The means of irritation &c, may be any thing and everything that 
can either invite action, as good food or medicines, a good motive, a good 
feeling; or may provoke it, as poisonous articles, ill treatment &c, but by 
whatever means aroused, whether the action be high or low, regular or irregu- 
lar, equally or unequally diffused over or through the body, it is always pro- 
duced by the same one cause, the vital force; and is, therefore, always sus- 
taining, conservative and curative — never tending, except by abuse, to the 
destruction of the body or any part of it. 

205. Healthy State. Though any nervous or other tissue may be excited 
for a short time, to a very high degree of action, as the brain in thinking and 
speaking, the arms in climbing, or the feet in walking, } r et, if this action is 
not continued till the tissue becomes prostrated by it, or till other tissues lose 
their power to receive and dispose of the excess thus raised, the equilibrium 
will soon be restored, on removal of the cause of the local excitement that 
invited or provoked the derangement; yet, if every part of this nervous (or 
other) structure is free to act to its full measure, there is no permanently 
excessive action of any part of it, and, of course all is considered healthy 
action. And this capable condition is the healthy state. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 59 

206. Diseased State. But, let some part of it be excited too severely and 
too long, and not only a derangement of the general action, but a loss of 
power to act takes place. For example : If we pursue our studies so long 
and so intensely that, when we cease, the cerebral excitement, pain in the head 
and cold feet and surface continue ; the nerves of the brain have lost their 
ability to shake off the excitement, and those of the extremities and the sur- 
face have lost theirs to call it off. The equilibrium of ability is destroyed, 
and the inability to restore it is disease. 

207. The disease is not often found altogether in the locality of the excite- 
ment. In irritation of the brain, for example, there is a diminution of the 
excitability of the nerves of the surface and lower extremities, because of the 
withdrawal of the nervous force from them to the brain. Hence the pressure 
of the blood from them, increases the inability of the organs of the brain to 
rid themselves of its mechanical influence, and its stimulating effects, gene- 
rating heat and still exciting them to more fruitless effort. The disease then, 
is both in the brain and on the surface ; and both need the aid of art for their 
relief, because both Have lost their balance, the one by excessive action, the 
other by diminution of the ordinary quantity. 

208. Counter -Irritation. As the vital force stimulating the brain, sets and 
keeps it in motion, so the same force can be sent, by ceasing to study and 
taking exercise, to the surface, muscles, viscera and lower extremities, leaving 
the brain comparatively at rest. The equilibrium being restored in both 
localities, health is preserved and established. The same thing can be done 
by the vapor bath, friction with stimulants, and taking diffusives internally, 
which last much aid exercise. This is called counter -irritation. 

It is an established law of the animal economy, that, when any part of it is 
over-excited, by whatever means, the action from other parts accumulates at 
the point of excitement, to defend it against injury, as a poison, or to aid it 
in doing good, as in digesting food; and that, if the exciting cause (even 
the good food), be not soon removed, this accumulated action over-works and 
debilitates the part on which it is concentrated. It can be properly removed 
only by removing the excitant and inviting the action to other tissues. This 
restores to each equilibrium of action, which is healthy. The ancients, ob- 
serving the uniformity of the first condition, laid it down as a maxim, 

"Ubi irritatio ibi affluxus." 

Wherever there is irritation there is a vital and fluid accumulation ; and they 
might have added, " when this afflux becomes troublesome, it can be called 
away by irritating a counter part : and thus, disease produced by local irrita- 
tion, may be cured by counter-irritation. 

209. Irritation in itself Physiological. From what has been said and 
proved on this subject, it is very evident that irritation is not disease, but 
purely physiological action, aroused and concentrated for the purpose of per- 
forming some extra duty; as intense thinking, feeling or speaking: or pro- 
tecting the system from injury; as in the closing of the eye in a mid-day sun 
to enable it to bar the light, the shaking of the skin of a horse to keep off 
flies; — or for removing a cause of disease, an offending agent, as in the excite- 
ment of the stomach or bowels to get rid of poisonous drugs. 

210. How treat Irritation. Of course the object of the practitioner should 
be to let it alone where both the excitant and the object are good, to equalize 



60 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

it when it is excessive or wrongly directed, and to remove the excitant if bad 
Bat in no case to paralyze or destroy the power of the nervous system to 
produce this deranged and accumulated excitement. 

211. The false impressions of medical men, that this deranged and over- 
excited nervous action is disease, or as with many, that the organs or tissues 
that produce it are diseased, and therefore should be deprived of their power 
to produce it, has led to the use in medication of a class of most destructive 
agents called narcotics, which they confess have done a vast amount of injury 
in the civilized world (71 to 79). As these narcotics are known to be such 
only by their power to depress nervous excitement ; and, as nervous excitement 
is called by Allopathists disease, they must, of course, be counted good 
medicines. But, since, in actual experience they often kill, it is found neces- 
sary to limit their supposed good, but really unchangeably mischievous quali- 
ties, to those cases in which the vital force resists their action, and expels 
them from its domains j when their character becomes conditional, that of 
" good medicines in skillful hands/' or when it cannot expel them they are 
" treacherous palliatives/' "irretrievably" ruinous, "destructive narcotics," 
"dangerous sedatives," "deceptive as the serpent of Eden and equally 
fatal" (76). 

212. True Anodgnes and Nervines. Since irritation is purely physiological 
(178), the only rational relief for the condition of the tissues manifested by 
a permanently deranged nervous excitement (181), consists in restoring equili- 
brium to the nervous action ; ceasing to excite the tissue where it is too 
active, and rousing it where it is deficient. And this can be properly done 
only by agents whose innate qualities supply the current demands of the vital 
force. Thus if a part be irritated, it requires a relaxing and soothing agent; 
as water and relaxing aromatics. Warm spear mint tea relaxes the tissues 
and relieves tension and irritation, the nervous effort to remove which is called 
pain. Lobelia is powerful to relax and of course one of the best anodynes, 
while it never narcotizes. So the vapor bath removes obstructions and hence 
irritation and pain. 

213. In common headache from too much study, the vital force excites the 
nervous structure to exalted action, which all agree is as healthy to the 
brain as walking is to the limbs. But, if it is continued too long and too 
severely, it overworks the brain which then complains by aching, as the feet 
do from too fast and too long continued walking. Is this irritation disease ? 
and must we give narcotics to deprive the nerves of the power to tell us of it, 
by aching ? or shall we call off the motive power from the brain, by exciting 
other parts of the nervous system to action, so as to let the brain rest 
awhile ? If the latter, can deadly narcotics that stop all nervous action do it? 
or shall we use physiological relaxants, as rest, and nervines to the aching 
brain, and stimulate the muscular system to call off the vital force from the 
efforts of the brain in study ? 

214. The true test of remedies is their constant tendency in action to restore 
directly the healthy state. Of course, not those that depress nervous activity, 
but those that restore equilibrium to it, are the true anodynes. Thus we see 
the truth of our doctrine (211), that it is their erroneous opinion in relation to 
the nature and tendency of irritation, &c, that has both dictated the use of 
poisonous agents, and deprived medical men of the power to determine with 
any degree of nearness to a certainty, what is and what is not narcotic or 
poisonous ; and even induced them to pronounce the best articles of food 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 61 

poisonous when they excite the organs to a full performance of their physio- 
logical functions, as the nerves to irritation, and the mucous membrane to 
vomiting and purging, or, in aromatic form, to coughing and sneezing. 

215. The oppositions to nervous action are the destruction of the tissue by 
chemical or mechanical means, the former corroding or narcotizing, the latter 
simply compressing; as when a cord is tied tightly around a nerve, or when 
any part of the system is bent for some time much out of its natural shape; 
as when the arms or legs have been long drawn up to acute angles, or where 
vessels are clogged by morbific matter. It is also sensibly exhibited in the 
shape of corns on the feet, in which cases, the flesh over the joint or projecting 
part of a bone has been compressed so long that the fluids have been exuded, 
the solids have become dry and hard, and have adhered together. Cellular 
tissues, muscles, blood-vessels, lymphatics, nerves and skin, are all united in 
one mass, and this ultimately in some cases to the bone. The circulation and 
nervous action through it are impeded, the blood accumulates before it, and 
stimulates the nerves to an extra effort to remove the obstacles and set the 
tissues free. This effort being fruitless, the action returns upon the brain and 
produces a sense of uneasiness, which, if slight, we call irritation ; but if 
severe, we call it pain } dull, heavy, acute, mild, severe, lacerating, darting, 
stellate, &c, according to its degree, or mode of manifestation. In a boil or 
an ulcer, the impediment is the pressure of the accumulated blood. 

216. Pain, then, in all cases, is simply the notice or impression which the 
nervous tissue conveys to the brain that some part of its structure or arrange- 
ments is enthralled and other parts are over-excited. Of course, if it is not 
itself disease, nor are the nerves that manifest it, performing any other than 
their physiological office of carrying impressions to the brain, it follows that 

217. To cure pain, no agent or practice should be used that has a tendency 
to deprive the nerves of the power to produce it ; but that we should remove 
the cause of oppression and irritation from the part that is enthralled. It is 
just as philosophical to give opium to stop the pain of a corn, and leave the 
hard, tight shoe still obstructing vital action ; as it is to give it to relieve pain 
in the head, the heart or the bowels, without removing the exciting cause, 
and cleansing the system of obstructions. 

218. Having established in their minds the erroneous notion that pain is 
disease, or at least that the extraordinary physiological action that produces it 
is " morbid," Allopathists have set themselves to devising and discovering 
ways and means to depress and destroy that action. 

219. Action of Narcotics. Experience and observation have taught them 
that the whole tribe of agents they have called narcotics, of which opium is 
the prince, will, if they give enough, infallibly do this work, and hence, 
notwithstanding that same experience has fully proved to them that these 
narcotics, though given with all their precaution and skill, and only to the 
extent of producing the desired effect, are often " treacherous palliatives," 
and "dangerous sedatives/' " deceptive" and "destructive as the serpent of 
Eden," they still pronounce them "good medicines in skillful hands" — the 
magnum del d.onum, — " the great gift of God, for the relief of suffering 
humanity." — Harrison. And persist in giving them to "produce pleasant 
sensations," " allay irritation," " procure refreshing sleep," which they do by 
"deadening sensibility," "paralyzing nervous energy," &c, &c. (71 to 77). 

220. Practice, Allopathic and Physio- Medical, compared. In the dark- 
ness of such fundamental errors as this, that irritation is disease, how are the 



62 ALLOrATHY EXPOSED, 

wisest men ever to learn any thing of the true character of remedies as either 
good or bad ? Under the influence of MHcomraon sense, the monitor which 
gives notice of the thraldom of an organ, must be deprived, by deadly agents, 
of the power to give that notice; bat, under the guidance of our common 
sense, the obstruction to the free action of the nerve should be removed, when 
the pain would cease of itself, because there would no longer be any occasion or 
exciting cause for it. Take off the hard or tight shoe, soak the foot awhile in 
hot water, pare off the dead part of the corn, and wear a buckskin moccasin for 
a month. The waste will be built up, the circulation and nervous action will 
be free, and there will be no occasion for the use of narcotics to " lull" 01 
" deaden the pain." 

221. Irritation and Pain are Blessings. This physiological impression 
called irritation and pain, is the true "magnum Dei donum," the great gift 
of God to man, to warn the violators of physiological laws, of the mischief 
they are doing, even in the slightest degree. Let any one take any bodily 
position in which the nervous action is in the least obstructed or impeded, and 
he will soon feel " irritated" or uncomfortable, and inclined to change that 
position. If he continues the violation much longer, the irritation amounts 
to pain. If he obeys this warning, changes his position, he is soon relieved. 

222. Destruction of Nerves. If he change not his position, the obstructions 
continue till vitality is lost, and chemical lesion takes place, as in the forma- 
tion of an ulcer. Here the destruction of a. part of the nerves, and the thral- 
dom of the rest in the pressure of the swelling arteries, and the irritation of 
the accumulated blood, all combine to keep up the irritation, soreness, or pain, 
till the lesion is healed and the circulation becomes free and the nerves are 
released again. 

223. Effects of Narcotism. Here too it is evident that the use of a nar- 
cotic to deaden the pain, that is, to deprive the nerve of the power to produce 
it, must, in the same degree deaden the power of tlie nutritive tissues (external 
capillaries) to heal the wound; and who can tell how many " old sores," 
" fever sores," "felons," " calomel sores," " mercurial ulcers," &c, "refuse 
to heal," spread wider and descend deeper, to the destruction of the bones 
and the loss of the limbs, and even to the death of the whole man, because 
of the destructive action of the opium or other narcotics which were given in 
small doses " merely to relieve pain and gain time" ? It is true that no scru- 
tinizing eye can ever see, or calculation estimate, the full amount of this mis- 
chief; but all intelligent and honest medical men agree that it has been 
immense, ever since the first use of narcotics for the relief of pain (see Nos. 
71 to 79). 

224. Narcotizing Reformers. Yet, notwithstanding all this evidence against 
them, both from testimony and from personal observation, even many physi- 
cians who profess to be Reformers — to use only a sanative medication — are 
continually administering narcotics to " relieve pain," while the other tissues 
equally relieved by the same remedy (?) of their power to perform their 
respective offices, are expected to be very busy in curing the disease ! or at 
least much refreshed and prepared for this service I 

Dr. J. R. Buchanan once said that all true Reformers would finally unite 
on the total rejection of all articles of this kind (403); but, because we rejected 
them from the first and he "progressed backward, instead of forward (408) he 
since said that we were as hunkerish as the old school." 



CRITICISED AXD CORRECTED. 63 

225. It is not known whether the vital force is circulated through the nerves, 
as electricity is through metalic wires, or simply excited in localities, by the 
elastic action of the centers of nervous globules. I was of the latter opinion; 
but, finding, in fact, some strong objections which the former* opinion re- 
moves, I am now inclined to think that the available vital force, circulates 
through the nerves as electricity does through the wires of the telegraph. 
On the elastic supposition I could account tor the excitement to action, in- 
stantaneously, of all the power of a single part; but I could not explain how 
that part, as a hand or a foot, should be thus enabled to exercise, for a 
moment, almost the whole strength of the body; or how inflammation of the 
brain should deprive the whole body of its usual muscular power. 

On the supposition of the circulation of the nervous fluid from part to 
part, these facts, as well as all others connected with the subject, are easily 
explained. The locomotion of the vital force through the nerves is there- 
fore most probably the true one. It is fortunate, however, that the settle- 
ment of this question is not indispensable to a full understanding of the 
effects of irritation or of determination; nor to a successful treatment of these 
derangements, any more than it is that we should know just how the corn 
grows to enable us to recognize that it does grow; or to plant, cultivate and 
harvest it. 

226. In No. 161 to 176 I spoke of the ramifications throughout the body 
of a series of vessels, tubes, &c, denominated the circulating system, to the 
action of which and its results I now devote more particular attention. 

Since, by the circulation, the animal frame is formed from the embryo; puri- 
fied and supported in health, and restored from the conditions of disease, it 
follows that a thorough knowledge of its actions and tendencies is indispen- 
sable to a scientific and successful sustenance of life and health, and a safe 
and speedy restoration from disease. 

There is no subject to which the attention of any person in the world can 
be directed, that can at all compare with this in the value of the benefits 
which it is able to confer. Of what use to any one are all the other blessings 
of this earth, when the body is racked with pain or the reason dethroned? 

" Very well," says one, " but is it possible for any person to learn how to 
prevent these? " 

227. As easily learn it, I answer, as to learn how to prevent hunger, thirst, 
cold, and poverty — aye, much easier than the latter, unless this knowledge 
should be first obtained, for sickness is a very frequent cause of poverty. 

228. Let then, him who would obtain the priceless boon, study well what I 
have already written, and still more thoroughly what I am about to write on 
the subject of the circulation; and, when he understands it, let him practice it 
at once, and through all his future life. Thus, unless his system has been 
already ruined by disease or by mal-practice to cure it, or accident should 
cut him off, health and long life shall be his happy portion, and sorrow and 
sighing shall constitute no portion of his heritage. 

229. Fever, Inflammation, Congestion. From the description I have given 
of the structure, arrangement and functions of the nerves and the blood- 
vessels, it is evident that the vital force and the blood may be instantane- 
ously accumulated in any tissue, in a quantity much greater than is needed 
for the performance of the ordinary functions of that tissue. Since the blood 
is not, on the whole, very rapidly increased nor diminished, and it is quite 



64: ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

questionable whether the vital force is ever increased or diminished, it follows 
of course, that, if they concentrate themselves temporarily in one locality, 
they must be just to that degree absent from some other locality, and hence 
the constant alternate destruction and restoration of the equilibrium of blood, 
and action in the tissues. 

We are aware that this accumulation and extra action can be commenced 
in many parts of the body, as the brain, the tongue, the limbs, &c, by an 
effort of the will. This 1 call a direct action. 

Or it may be commenced by forcing the blood from other parts to a tissue, 
as the accumulation of blood and action in the pleura, the peritoneum, the 
bronchi, in the alvine canal, &c, is often produced by the pressure of them 
from the surface, caused by cold. This I call indirect or passive accumula- 
tion, congestion, &c. This accumulation and action may be invited to a 
part by the direct application of other stimuli than the will or vital power; 
but, by whatever means accumulated, as in pleurisy, from cold, or whether 
the blood, or the vital force, as in study, act first, both being the natural 
stimulants of the body, the result is soon the accumulation of heat, and a 
burning sensation. Hence the word fever, homferveo, to heat, all the cases 
of which may be said to consist in an accumulation of blood in an extensive 
portion of the body, with an excited state of the arterial capillary tissues that 
contain that blood. It may or may not be preceded, attended or succeeded by 
a degree of heat, redness, pain or swelling, manifest to the senses, though 
heat is generally and the others are less frequently manifested. If this accu- 
mulation and action are confined to a small locality, it is called inflammation. 

230. This excitement is always a vital action, the same in character as 
that which circulates the blood freely, and performs every other physiological 
act in a state of health. All the differences visible in connection with it, 
arise from the different structures and conditions of structure in which the 
action is observed. 

Loose, spongy organs, as glands, mucous membranes, muscles, receive 
much blood and become red and swollen, but not often very painful, not 
being much enthralled. The serous membranes, the tendinous tissues, and 
the external surface, are more dense; and receive less blood, but compress 
the nerves more, and are, of course, less red and swollen, but more painful. 

231. Any excitement above the ordinary degree, from whatever cause, as a 
blush, will produce an accumulation of blood in a part beyond its immediate 
wants. Anger will produce redness of the whole face and neck ; and severe 
exercise or a vapor bath, and generally a cold shower bath, or effete matter in 
the capillaries, will excite a general accumulation of blood on the surface, with 
swelling of the tissue. But, if the cause be not long active, the superior 
capacity of the absorbents, in number and caliber, over the secernents, will 
soon remove the surplus, and all will be right again. It is only when the 
secernents have lost, by long distension, their recuperative or contractile 
power, to recover when the pressure is removed ; and the absorbents their 
expansive force, or capacity for absorption; or when some obstruction exists 
in the vessels, as retained effete matter, or when a strong pressure is directed 
from a closed surface, as in colds, &c, that the accumulation of blood and 
action becomes permanent, and is called fever, (or inflammation, according 
to the extent of its locality or the stage of its progress.) 

232. How subsides. When the excitement, or the mechanical obstacles 
which occasioned the blood to accumulate in apart, is removed, the absorbents 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 65 

soon recover their advantage over the secernents ; the excess of blood or 
other fluids is removed, and the fever or inflammation subsides for want of 
an error or an injury to be corrected by it. All that is necessary to accom- 
plish this, is to relax the whole system, invite the circulation freely to the sur- 
face, cleanse the stomach and bowels by an emetic, and an enema, if necessary, 
and promote perspiration by a free use of aromatic fluids. This invariably 
so far relieves the congested vessels, that absorption or resolution soon re- 
lieves them wholly, and this depuration is the last process of what is properly 
termed fever, by those who suppose fever and inflammation to be distinct 
affections; or the first mode of relief by us who consider them only different 
stages of the same process. 

It is called a crisis, as the patient is immediately relieved of the irritation, 
congestion and offending matter, and the circulation moves on again as 
before. 

233. Conditicm of the tissues. In the early stage of fever there is an 
increased action of the capillaries and flow of blood both to and through the 
part in a given time ; and a fuller, stronger and quicker pulse. In external 
fever, the distension of the capillaries admits a predominance of arterial 
blood in the surface, a fullness and smoothness of the skin, and an increase 
of heat, which conditions exist in all cases, and are more or less manifest 
where the obstructions are not so great as much to depress the vital opera- 
tions. In the second stage, that is, where the absorbents become so closed 
by the pressure of the arterial circulation, or by mechanical obstructions, 
that they cannot remove the fluids as fast as they accumulate, the circulation 
is impeded and after much fruitless effort the pulse often becomes smaller 
and weaker, and even softer, though sometimes more wiry and corded, than 
natural, all depending upon the different conditions of the tissues and their 
ability to respond to the action of the vital force. 

234. Names of fever. If the concentration is confined to a small organ 
and the excitement is severe, it is called inflammatory fever. Thus a local 
fever and a general inflammation, are the same; no one having marked the 
boundaries to which either state shall extend, or given signs by which the 
one can be certainly distinguished from the other. Brain fever and inflam- 
mation of the brain; lung fever, and pneumonia; puerperal fever and 
puerperal peritonitis, are respectively synonymous, or different names for 
the same affections. 

If the fever or inflammation come on suddenly and violently, it is called 
acute, if gradually and imperceptibly, chronic. If invited by irritation of 
the part, it is called active ; if forced by sending the blood from some other 
quarter, it is called passive. The obstructed states of the system also give 
it names, as synochoid, typhoid; so the effects, as eruptive, putrid, &c. 

235. The cause of fever and inflammation, like that of irritation, mental 
and muscular motion, and every other physiological act of the system is 
always one and the same, the vital force (171, 180), which produces all 
other actions in the system that are not chemical, in other words that may 
not be produced in it after death, by instituting the same chemical relations. 

236. Example — The eye. In health, the sclerotic or outer white coat of 
mcst persons' eyes is of a bluish cast in consequence of the predominance of 
venous blood in it. Put into the eye a little weak infusion of cayenne and 
you stimulate the nerves, and these the blood vessels to action. This action 

5 



66 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

generates heat ; this heat uniting with the moisture of the blood, expands 
the arterial capillaries which thus press more than usually upon the venous 
absorbents. The result is, the venous blood already in the absorbents, is 
forced away ; the arterial is accumulated till it predominates, when the eyes 
are red, "bloodshot," and they smart with the pain excited by the irritation, 
first of the cayenne, secondly of the heat, and thirdly of the arterial blood. 
This is inflammation. 

As the irritation subsides, the excited action subsides, the contractility of 
the arterial capillaries recover their tonic or natural and usual dimensions, 
the absorbents, relieved of the pressure, expand, take up the excess of blood 
and remove it, and the coat of the eye becomes white again. This is called 
resolution. Any other irritant than cayenne in the eye excites the same 
inflammatory action, but not every other excitant allows it so readily to 
subside and without injury, but rather with the benefit of purifying the 
tissue of morbific materials, and restoring its healthy action. If lobelia be 
added to the cayenne or used without it, the vessels are expanded as well as 
stimulated, and hence their purification by the more easy removal of morbific 
matter, is more complete. 

If we wish to check this inflammatory action, we can apply to the eye 
moisture in the form of water or thin poultices, and it will aid in the process 
of relaxation ; and, by absorbing the heat, will check the irritation. If cold, 
the water absorbs the heat more rapidly, and, by thus preventing the irrita- 
tion which its excess produces, it aids the contractility of the capillaries in 
recovering their smaller dimensions, and thus gives space for the absorbents 
which are laboring to expand, to recover their larger size, and to remove the 
accumulated fluid. If the water is cold when applied, it soon becomes warm 
and loses its power to absorb the heat. It then becomes relaxing instead of 
tonic, till it is changed for cold. But, if the cold water contain a solution 
of some powerful astringent, this latter aids in producing contractility and 
retains its influence after it becomes warm, so as to prevent the accumulation 
of blood and the generation of more heat. Every pure astringent is able to 
aid distended arterial capillaries in recovering their proper dimensions, while 
no one can so far contract the absorbents (against nature) as to prevent them 
from taking up all the fluids which the arterial capillaries in health can 
supply them. Therefore no pure vegetable astringent is poison — but all are 
good in their place, or when tissues require their aid. 

The superficial observer and careless thinker may object that the cold 
water or the astringent will contract the absorbents as well as the secernants, 
and thus preserve the derangement. That would be true if nature were 
doing nothing in the case. But the vital force is striving to contract the 
arterial capillaries and to expand the absorbents. The cold water and 
astringents acting in direct harmony with the vital force in the arterial 
capillaries, is kindly received and allowed to exert its full force — the two 
united accomplish the object, and this is what is meant by medicines acting 
in harmony with that force. The cold and astringents assay to contract the 
absorbents also; but here they are resisted by the vital force. If the water 
is so cold or the astringents are so strong as to completely or nearly over- 
come that expansive force, they would stop absorption and prove mischievous, 
thus very cold water sometimes removes the skin. But water of such a low 
temperature, or astringents of so great power should never be applied. The 
absorbents are so numerous and large that an astringent force amply capa- 
ble of aiding the vital force in reducing the contracting arterial capillaries 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 67 

to their proper dimensions, may not be able to contract the more numerous 
larger and expanding absorbents (as the arterial pressure is taken from them), 
and prevent them from removing the accumulated blood, and restoring equili- 
brium of the circulation ; and, of course a healthy condition to the tissue. 

Any article in its nature tending to destroy the elastic force of the tissue, 
is poison and should be always discarded. One that may overcome it only 
by the degree of its power, is good and should not be abused; that is, used 
to excess, or when it is not wanted. It is thus by observing the tendency 
of substances to aid or oppose vital action, that we determine the character 
of external agents as medicines or poisons. 

a. Inflammation. This term has been given, time immemorial, to 
certain actions and conditions of the animal tissues, which no observing 
person can fail to discover; but which many of the most distinguished 
medical men, in all ages and countries, have attempted in vain to describe. 
They confess that, notwithstanding their careful and extended observation 
(28 to 48), their diligent search, their establishment of fever hospitals (34), 
and other praiseworthy efforts to "more certainly ascertain its true nature," 
they have accomplished nothing of their grand object; their conclusions are 
"very unsatisfactory" (35), "altogether problematical" (36); and "afford 
little help in determining the plan of treatment" (35). 

237. / consider it only a circumscribed fever, in its concentrated forms 
and later stages — simply accumulation of blood and excitement in the 
arterial capillaries of a tissue. 

238. Discussion of it, resolution. It is not generally customary, among 
Allopathists, to pronounce accumulated action inflammation, till the circu- 
lation has become so completely arrested as "to change somewhat the 
character of the blood and of the secretions." — (Erichsen's Surgery, p. 36 
to 44). But this can scarcely be said of a blush which Hunter calls "the 
simplest form of inflammation," — "a simple act of the constitution," — in 
which the sudden and powerful action of the heart and arteries, distends and 
fills the capillaries of the latter, so completely as to compress, for a moment, 
the mouths of the absorbents to such a degree as to prevent them from 
taking up the blood as fast as it accumulates; the result (in the face) is, 
redness, fullness and slight heat. But, the cause soon ceasing to act, the 
arteries also act less powerfully and press less upon the absorbents which 
now expand more freely, drink in and remove the obstructions, and restore 
the equilibrium. This is called resolution or the first termination of inflam- 
mation, and nature herself effects it, when let alone generally; when properly 
assisted almost always. 

239. Active exercise produces for a time the same condition of the general 
surface that we see on the cheek in a blush ; and rest from that exercise 
gives relief from arterial, diffusive pressure ; when the capillaries contract, 
the absorbents expand, and the equilibrium of circulation is restored. So 
far, medical men are not disposed to regard this accumulation of excitement, 
and of blood and heat in a part, as anything unnatural or improper. 

240. But, if this excess or accumulation of blood is confined to a small 
region of the body, and the stasis is nearly complete and more permanent, it 
is called inflammation, though in truth that which is properly termed inflam- 
mation (the action), is almost subdued. 



68 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

If it extends over a large region, and the arterial derangements are slight, 
the case is called fever. Hence it is evident that there is no natural dividing 
line between fever and inflammation. In their character they are the same. 

241. Erichsen, the distinguished Surgeon of the London University Col- 
lege and Hospital, says : — 

"It is difficult to say, except by the persistence and intensity of the symp- 
toms, that the physiological state has ended and the pathological one has com- 
menced." Pray what degree of "persistence and intensity of the symp- 
toms," shall constitute the dividing line between that increase simply in 
power and permanence and not in character ? 

As signs of inflammation, he gives, "Alteration in color, in size, in sen- 
sation, in temperature and function, of the part affected." And adds (page 
40th), "Each of these conditions may separately occur, or two or more be 
associated together without the existence of inflammation. It is the peculiai 
grouping together of them all, that characterizes the presence of this patho- 
logical condition." 

242. Comments. No signs to distinguish fever from inflammation, oi 
irritation. Where, for example, is the change of color in phlegmasia dolens 
and synovitis ? of color or size in neuralgia, (inflammation of the nerves,) 
of sensation or temperature (tangible) in carditis, splenitis and hepatitis; 
and what of function in the blush ? Any that can be so appreciated as to 
"afford any help in determining the plan of treatment?" (35), or tell us 
"how it will terminate?" (119). Is there any distinction in nature 
between fever and inflammation as vital acts, other than what is made by the 
progress of one act from circumference to center and of the other from 
center to circumference? And what changes the conditions of their 
approach to each other but the different states of the systems in which they 
are manifested ? And, if so, why attempt to make two things out of the one 
simple act ? Why attempt to divide even these two things which are but 
one, into a legion more ? If different constitutions or states of the same, 
make differences, why not note these and philosophise and act according to 
their indications ? How long will it be before medical men will find out 
what disease is (6), so long as they consider the physiological acts, irritation, 
fever and inflammation the very sum and essence of disease, and "the founda- 
tion of all their pathological reasoning?" (35.) 

243. The Definition that covers every case of inflammation is, accumula- 
tion of blood and excitement in the arterial capillaries of a tissue, as irritation 
is accumulation of vital force and excitement in the nerves of a tissue. They 
may or may not manifest an appreciable degree of heat, redness, pain or 
swelling. There may or may not be changes in the constitution of the 
blood, suppuration, granulation, or gangrene, connected with inflammation. 

244. But if there are, the obstruction and the swelling are mere mechani- 
cal conditions; the suppuration is chemical so far as lesion is concerned, and 
vital so far as casting off pus, and granulation are concerned. Granidation is 
the vital healing process, and the ultimate termination of inflammation. 
Gangrene is chemical — death ! 

245. The confounding of all these vital, mechanical and chemical effects, 
under one name, and treating them all as vital, sanative, "till the physio- 
logical state ends;" and, as destructive after it is merely "guessed" that 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. by 

"the pathological state begins," are the sources of all the errors of Allopathy, 
and all "its kindred systems and branches." 

246. Dr. H. Bachus, of Alabama, in a pamphlet on fever and inflam- 
mation, says : — 

' ' If we take from fever and inflammation the condition which they have 
in common, — increased action — nothing will remain to which these terms 
are applicable." p. 23. 

Williams, in his Surgery, says: "Excess of blood in a part with motion 
increased, is fever. Excess of blood in a part with motion partly increased 
and partly diminished, is inflammation." That is, while the blood flows on 
freely, it is called fever; when obstruction prevents the flow, it is inflam- 
mation. But w^ find these conditions reversed in many cases of what are 
called fever and inflammation. 

Dr. Clymer says: "Drs. Cullen and Brown affirmed that the distinctions 
which physicians have made about the differences of fever, are without 
foundation — that they differ only in degree. Dr. Rush called all diseases a 
unit, reduced all fevers to one, differing only in degree. Maintaining that 
every form and variety of disease consists of irregular action [irritation fever 
and inflammation], that this action is a proximate cause of every form and 
modification of disease, and the varieties owing to the differences in the 
state or predisposition to disease and in the force of the exciting or acting 
causes." — Abridged from Clymer, p. 48. 

Remark. What a pity that these men had not gone one step further in 
the discovery, and seen that all these fevers or excitements are not disease at 
all, but simple manifestations of the efforts of the system to remove the causes 
of disease! Then would they have revolutionized the whole practice to a 
purely sanative medication. They could then very easily have learned both 
"what is disease and what is a suitable remedy." (6.) 

247. Inflammation Sanative. In Erichsen's Surgery, page 33, we are 
told that, "Increased vascular action lies at the bottom of all surgical 
[healing] processes ; no important surgical action taking place without it. 
No process by which the separation of dead parts is effected, or by which 
the repair of wounds or ulcers is carried out, can occur without an increased 
activity of the vessels concerned. Every tissue is susceptible of it, and the 
surgeon often excites it intentionally as one of the most efficient of his thera- 
peutic means." Hunter, John Thomson, Watson (44), and others, say the 
same thing. So far as authority is worth anything, we have, from the most 
eminent surgeons of the University College and Hospital in London, and 
others elsewhere, a full confirmation of the doctrine of the sanative tendency 
of inflammation, and of its absolute necessity to the healing process. This 
physiological act may be wrongly directed, or it may be entirely obstructed, 
and thus rendered powerless for good, or even injurious to the tissue on 
which it is fruitlessly spent; but no wrong direction or condition can change 
its character from physiological to pathological; or justify any other treat- 
ment of it than the removal from it of obstacles to its free and universal 
action. 

This gives us a clue to the true plan of practice, the nature of the remedies 
required, and the effects of the remedies on these conditions; and the vital 
indications of them, are the only criteria by which the characters of these 
agents, as good or bad, can be determined. Hence the truth of our doctrine 



TO 

that the errors respecting inflammation, &c, are the sources of all the errors 
and mischiefs of allopathic therapeutics. 

248. Modes of Access. There are two ways of exciting or developing irri- 
tation or inflammation. 1st, Attraction, by the application to the organ to be 
inflamed, of some irritating substance ; as when pepper is thrown into the 
eyes or rubbed on the tender surfaces of the body; or caloric in too great 
quantity attacks the external surface. In all these cases, the foreign body 
invites or provokes excitement ; this excitement develops heat ; this heat 
unites with the blood to expand the vessels containing it; this expansion 
gives room for more blood, which excites the vessels still more, and develops 
more heat, which, with the blood, produces more expansion and develops yet 
more heat, till the vessels are distended to their utmost degree of extensi- 
bility, and the blood and caloric become so abundant that no more can be 
pressed into or confined in the part. The absorbents are now compressed to 
such a degree that they cannot carry off the accumulated blood, unless the 
excitement in the locality, or the pressure toward it, or both, be partially 
removed. The proper method of doing this is to absorb away the caloric by 
water from the locality, and attract the blood to other parts, particularly the 
whole surface, by counter irritation, as the vapor bath, and friction by 
stimulants. 

249. Determination. The second method of inducing inflammation consists 
in forcing the blood to central organs by means of the contraction of the 
surface, as often caused by the evaporation too suddenly of its natural heat 
and moisture (a process called taking cold.) The superficial vessels being 
unable to receive their due quantity of blood, an excess is thrown upon the 
internal organs (162), as the brain, the lungs, the glands, the mucous and 
the serous membranes, which are warm, relaxed and expanded, because not 
exposed to the action of the cold, drying and contracting action of the atmos- 
phere, and therefore offer less resistance to it than the external cold, con- 
tracted vessels do. There is not room in the superficial vessels for the 
quantity of blood necessary to maintain the proper distension and excitement, 
the surface contracts, diminishes the capacity of the external vessels, and 
compels the heart and arteries to send the portion of blood which they will 
not admit, to the internal, warmed, relaxed, and expanded vessels, which 
will therefore receive it. This forcing of the blood from one organ to 
another, as well as the inviting of it, is called deranging the equilibrium of 
the circulation, and the consequences are, irritation, fever, inflammation, 
and congestion, which are always produced in one or the other of these two 
ways. 

If only the nervous system is much disturbed, as in study, it is called 
irritation. If the general circulation is disturbed, it is called fever. If the 
disturbance is local, it is called inflammation. If the accumulation of blood 
is attended with excitement of the capillaries, it is called inflammation. If 
with little or no perceptible excitement, congestion. (See 164.) 

Now it is evident, from what has been shown, that the organs within, 
which are the most irritable, will receive the strongest impressions from the 
influx of blood — will promptly respond to those impressions, and be, conse- 
quently, soon inflamed, while those that are the least impressible will least 
readily respond to that impression, and be speedily overwhelmed with blood, 
and deprived of the freedom necessary to action, before their excitability is 
much aroused. The former of these states, as just remarked, is accumulation 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 71 

of blood, with excitement, in the capillaries, and called inflammation ; 
the latter is accumulation of blood, without excitement, in the capillaries, 
and is called congestion. When there is some excitement as well as accu- 
mulation, it is called inflammatory congestion, congestive inflammation, &c. 
Thus it seems that, in all cases of inflammation there is some congestion, and 
it is also clearly evident that, in all cases of congestion, there is, at first, some 
inflammation. 

From the above it is evident- that any cause which can excite a part to 
high action, can invite or provoke inflammation. So any cause which can 
prevent the blood from flowing freely to any considerable region of the body, 
can force it to other parts, where it will produce either inflammation or con- 
gestion ; and that these again may be relieved by exciting other less active 
parts, and inviting the blood away to them. The last process is called 
counter-irritation. 

250. The conditions and actions of the tissues in all cases characterized 
by inflammation, are very well described by Fletcher, as copied by Dud- 
geon (Lectures, page 35.) The words in brackets are mine. 

Fletcher says : " The first effect of a direct stimulant, such as heat, upon 
the capillaries, causes them to contract. This contraction represents increased 
action in the capillaries themselves. The application of a red-hot iron to the 
skin, is observed to be followed at first by a deathly paleness of the part, and 
the alteration in the calibre of the capillaries has been observed, miscroscop- 
ically, in the foot web of the frog and the transparent omentum of other 
animals, by Spallanzi, Thomson, Phillips, Hastings, Burdach, Wedemeyer, 
Koch, and many others. During this contraction, the motion of the fluid in 
the capillaries is quickened, as noticed by the increased rapidity of the 
passage of the globules [and as may be felt by the pulsations of the arteries]. 
After a time [when the tissues become over-wrought, fatigued, exhausted], 
the capillaries [yielding to the pressure] become dilated sometimes to double 
their normal state [thus pressing upon and closing the mouths of the absorb- 
ents, and preventing them from taking up and removing the accumulated 
blood and secretions]. This dilatation indicates diminished action in the 
capillaries, and is accompanied by accumulation, tardy circulation, and even 
[finally] stagnation of the circulation of the fluids contained in the capillaries. 
This constitutes inflammation.' ' [Rather this last is the cessation of inflam- 
mation.] 

"We may suppose that the contraction and dilatation of the capillaries may 
occur within certain limits [so far as they can without compressing the 
absorbents to such a degree that they cannot take up the fluids as fast as they 
are presented] without compromising health. The primary paleness, fol- 
lowed by the blush that attends certain emotions [or appears more distinctly 
in fainting from fright], is a familiar instance of this." 

" But, if a stimulus of too great power be applied, it will contract, first, 
inordinately, and again expand to such a degree that it will be incapable of 
recovering its natural calibre immediately, or perhaps at all, without the 
application of a fresh stimulus." 

251. The relief of all these conditions of tissue, which, when unable to 
correct themselves, constitute the essence of the disease, is easily effected by 
simply equalizing the circulation, which is called resolution. 

252. It is called " simple inflammation," but it is all the inflammation that 
can exist. " Inflammation is a simple act of the constitution," a "salutary 



72 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

operation." It "consists of only one kind, not being divisible" — "restora- 
tive" — "produced for the restoration of the most simple injury," <fec. 
(42,44,45.) 

253. All that is connected with it, as the destruction of tissue in suppuration 
and gangrene, must be attributed to chemical affinity. The formation of 
morbid parts, as tumors, cancers, wens, polypuses, &c, must be ascribed to 
mechanical obstructions to healthy circulation and depuration 

254. And hence the true practice, in all cases, consists in keeping nature's 
outlets open and the circulation equalized, for health ; and in removing the 
obstructions and in stimulating the tissues to a healthy action for the removal 
of disease in all its forms. There is no demand, in any case, for depletion 
and poisoning. 

255. Active Inflammation. In all cases in which the inflammatory action 
is induced by the application of the exciting cause to the point of its locality, 
as the application of a caustic, a blister, or vaccination to the surface ; or of 
irritating substances to the stomach, bowels, lungs, eyes, nose, or other 
mucous membranes ; or the severe application of the vital force to the brain, 
as in study ; the accumulation of blood, with excitement, that follows such 
applications is called active inflammation, though it is often less energetic than 
the same operation when the blood is determined to these organs by the 
heart and arteries, in consequence of its exclusion from other antagonistic 
organs. Thus the inflammation in pleurisy, enteritis, phrenitis, &c, is as 
severe when excited by blood repelled from the surface by cold, as in cases 
in which the irritation is first applied to the points of its final locality. 

256. Passive Inflammation. If the external surface of the body be ex- 
posed to a cold damp atmosphere, it becomes, soon or late, so deprived of its 
proper degree of heat and expansion, that the capillaries contract so much as 
to prevent the flowing into them of the blood necessary to keep them warm 
and expanded, that is, to preserve an equilibrium of the circulation and 
nervous action within and without, between the internal and the external 
circulations. Hence that balance of blood which the outer capillaries refuse 
to admit, must be determined or forced to those of the internal organs or 
tissues, giving to them, if uncommonly excitable, an excessive action (called 
acute inflammation), or if not so excitable as usual, overcoming their feeble 
action by pressure ; producing in both cases congestion — in the first inflam- 
matory, called passive inflammation, to distinguish it from inflammation 
invited by the application of the exciting cause to the point of its locality, 
which is called active inflammation. Both forms of inflammation are of 
necessity more or less congestive, for they consist essentially in the accumu- 
lation of blood with more or less excitement. It is evident also that, unless 
the obstacles be removed and the circulation be relieved, the most active 
inflammation will soon yield to simple congestion, and this to suppuration or 
gangrene. 

257. The Blood. This fluid, as we find it in the arteries, consists of two 
parts, red globules and white. When drawn and suffered to stand a short 
time, the former are condensed into a jelly like mass called crassamentum. 
The latter remain fluid and are called serum. Press and wash the crassa- 
mentum, and there remains a stringy substance called fibrin. 

Besides these, there is constantly flowing, 1st. in the veins, toward the 
heart, and through it to the lungs, nutritive material, from the lacteals and 



CRITICISED A2sD CORRECrED. 73 

lymphatics ; and venous blood from all parts of the system ; and from the 
abdominal viscera, through the portal vein to the liver, and thence to the 
heart, lungs, &c. 

2d. From the arteries to the kidneys, and the skin and mucous membranes, 
are sent the effete matter of the system and many extraneous substances, taken 
as food, drink or medicine ; as salt, alcohol, turpentine, garlic, &c, as 
incapable of profitable use. 

3d. To facilitate the movement through the vessels, of these substances, 
useful or pernicious, abundance of water is required. 

258. Water in the blood. If, with a needle, we draw a little blood from the 
finger when the subject is healthy and the surface is moist, and put it on 
glass and into a solar microscope, we shall see that there is much more water 
than blood, as the former will occupy a much wider space in the field 
than both parts of the latter, which can be distinguished by their greater 
opacity. 

259. The object of this icater in the blood, seems to be to prevent the con • 
traction of the vessels and consequent friction of the blood globules and 
foreign substances against them; and to act as a medium to float along the 
contents of the vessels, whether blood or other matter. 

260. Deficiency of water, results. When, from excessive and too long 
continued exercise, or from irritation in the vessels by means of offending 
matter, as alcohol or spirits of turpentine, or by long abstinence from drinks, 
the proportion of water becomes greatly diminished by evaporation, the 
globules of the blood and the morbific irritants come into closer contact with 
the walls of the arteries and their capillaries, and excite them to a more rapid 
action. This may be seen by confining the web of a young frog's foot in a 
solar microscope, and irritating it with a solution of any acrid substance. 
This produces, as before described, that phenomenon of the circulation 
denominated fever. If the water be still further exhausted, the globules of 
blood and other materials begin to adhere to the sides of the capillary vessels, 
and thus to interrupt and finally to obstruct altogether, the circulation 
through them. 

261. Hence we see the importance of keeping the system well supplied with 
water, internally and externally, to prevent and relieve those conditions of 
the tissues, which are indicated by the physiological acts, termed irritation, 
fever and inflammation — how it is that water is said to cure these "affec- 
tions," and why it is that water alone is often more effectual than the best medi- 
cines could be without it. "Fever powders" may excite or quell a fever, 
according as they are stimulating or sedative; but, without water, the best 
of them cannot cure the disease which "renders the fever necessary," that 
is, supply the wants of the system and remove the irritation which excites 
the fever. 

262. Thirst. The first indication of the want of water is called thirst, 
then follows an irritated and burning sensation in the alvine canal, and 
through the whole body, and a dryness of the lungs and surface, all which is 
only an increase and diffusion of thirst. These should and may, if attended 
to in season, be prevented or relieved by abundance of water, internally and 
externally applied. But if much morbific matter has accumulated within, 
medicine will greatly aid the water. 



74 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

263. If this water is not supplied when wanted, the blood becomes more 
dense, the globules adhere to the walls of the capillaries and soon arrest the 
circulation altogether. — Erichsen, pp. 36 to 39. 

If the obstructions become general over the limb, there will soon be less 
blood in it, the limb will wither away, lose its flexibility, its mobility, and 
frequently its sensibility, and become quite useless, as is seen in cases cured 
of white swelling, or after a dislocation of a limb from its superior cavity, or 
in cases of paralysis from any cause. 

264. Delirium and Insanity. Whatever deranges the equilibrium of 
nervous and arterial action, may produce delirium or insanity. Thus, if a 
person whose mind is highly excitable, takes a severe cold, the circulation is 
driven inward, (as in all cases of cold, ) but the brain being very susceptible, 
and some portions of it more so than others, the action will be the severest 
on the latter, and others will be comparatively quiescent. This irregularity 
of action constitutes delirium, which when firmly fixed and long continued, 
is called insanity. The permanent restoration of equilibrium is the cure of 
every case, and the only cure of any one. The difficulty of effecting it, con- 
sists in the degree of tenacity of action on some organs and the non-impressi- 
bility of others; and the unwillingness or the inability, of the patient to aid 
in the operation, or his ignorance, or that of the practitioner of what is 
needed in the case, or in combinations of all these elements. Delirium is as 
harmless and as easily cured, as almost any form of disease, if both the 
patient and practitioner understand its nature and indications. But how can 
blood-letting and poisoning contribute to a cure which requires equilibrium, 
fulness and freedom of the circulation? 

265. Causes are said to be of two kinds, procuring and exciting, or gen- 
erating and eliciting. The first directly produces an effect; the second 
excites the first to action. For example, A provokes B, with saucy words; 
for which B strikes A with a whip. The power of B's arm is the procuring 
cause of the blow, and the saucy words of A are the exciting cause. Flood- 
wood fills up the watercourse and the water flows over the meadows. The 
floodwood is the exciting cause and the gravitating course of the water is the 
procuring cause of the inundation. 

266. Cause of fever and of disease. So, obstructions to the free action 
of the nerves and blood vessels, are the exciting causes of those derangements 
of vital action called irritation, fever and inflammation; but the procuring and 
only true cause of them, is the vital force. It is evident that the exciting 
causes, or, as I would say, the occasions of these derangements, are as 
numerous as the ways and means of preventing a free and full action of that 
force, in any or every organ and tissue of the body. Hence, we perceive 
that the causes of disease are innumerable, and many of them, as in scarlet 
fever, measles, small pox, plague and cholera, entirely beyond our present 
knowledge. Each of many causes, as above, may give rise to many different 
manifestations of the vital actions, appearances and conditions of the tissues. 
The results of the action of causes are called effects. 

267. But they all produce one and the same effect on the tissue, that is, 
an inability to perform fully its natural functions, which and which alone, 
whether it consists in fixed relaxation, contraction, or paralysis, constitutes 
the sum and essence of disease. Lesion is death, not disease. But the 
presence and activity of the vital force is necessary to distribute the 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 75 

morbific agents about, and enable them to develop their peculiar characters. 
Without this, vaccination would never produce a pustule, nor would mercury 
produce salivation, nor strychnine a spasm, nor opium nor brandy delirium 
tremens. 

268. One plan of cure. Hence, as there is but one disease, there can be 
but one scientific or natural plan of cure, viz., remove obstructions to the 
equilibrium of vital action, and stimulate, if necessary, the tissues to the 
performance of their healthy, specific functions. 

269. The excitants of increased vital action, in health or disease, may be 
as numerous and various as the wants, wishes or motions of man, and the 
external agents that affect him for good or for evil. They are any thing and 
everything that can derange the equilibrium of vital action. 

270. Good agents may be abused, that is, misapplied. Almost any, per- 
haps every excitant may do this permanently by long and unremitting appli- 
cation. Thus, the vital force itself may excite the organs to severe exercise, 
as running, jumping, &c, and may finally weary and prostrate them till they 
are no longer able to do their duty. Thus also electricity, caloric, cayenne 
pepper, ginger, <fec, all innocent in kind, may, by excess of quantity and 
constancy of application, do injury to the organs. 

271. Poisons. But there are other excitants which, in any quantity and 
however seldom applied, have a direct tendency to deprive the organs of the 
power to perform their healthy functions; as corrosive sublimate, arsenious 
acid, opium, prussic acid, &c. These are properly termed poisons. 

272. The procuring cause of Animation. Whatever may excite or 
arouse it, we must never forget that the sole producing cause of all living 
action, that of nerves or blood-vessels, or their dependents, is the vital force. 

273. Man cannot make a vital product. All external things and agents 
or motive powers, are the mere excitants of that force to action. No other 
power on earth is able to produce its action. No power but the vital can 
form a globule of blood, manufacture a secretion from it, or construct an 
organ out of it, or produce inflammation, fever, or the slightest irritation. 
All human ingenuity in its untiring efforts to this end, has failed either to 
manufacture or to discover the manufacture elsewhere than under the do- 
minion of the vital force, of a single tissue, or the performance of any other 
vital function. 

274. Heat. All motion of material bodies produces a disturbance of the 
equilibrium of caloric, making it more or less manifest. Thus the striking 
of steel against flint, or a horse-shoe against the pavement, or a match 
against a rough surface, manifests caloric ; while the melting of snow or ice 
absorbs it and diminishes its manifestation. So a stimulating medicine, as 
cayenne ; or power, as electricity, applied to the human flesh ; or the friction 
of flesh against flesh, as the hand to the body, manifests heat in that body. 

275. Effects on the System. Whenever excitants are applied to a part, 
they set its nerves and blood-vessels in motion, and this motion develops 
heat, which, combined with the moisture of the blood (Lects. M. S.), 
warms, relaxes, and expands the vessels containing blood, and consequently, 
by providing more room for it, invites the heart and arteries to send a larger 
quantity to the special locality of the irritation. The consequence, if the part 
be very largely supplied with vessels, is swelling, irritation, and more heat. 



76 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

If these vessels are for red blood in large proportion (as in the muscles) — 
redness. If the part is abundantly supplied with sensitive nerves — pain. 
All these are illustrated in a sore from a splinter run into the end of the 
fnger, or in a common felon, or boil. 

276. Different tissues. If the part to which the blood is invited, and in 
which it is accumulated or congested, is composed chiefly or wholly of 
serous tissue, as the cartilages, the ligaments, the tendons, the serous mem- 
branes and muscular fascia, there will be heat and pain, but little or no red- 
ness nor swelling. Such cases are called pleuritis, peritonitis, synovitis, 
fasciitis, phrenitis, &c, the termination "itis" being made to the end of the 
name of an organ to signify inflammation of that organ. 

277. Few permanent signs. If the organ is not supplied, or but partially, 
with sensitive nerves, as the heart, the liver, the spleen, the kidneys, the 
lungs, the stomach, &c, there may be swelling, redness and heat, with little 
or no pain ; so that these signs or symptoms, heat, redness, swelling and 
pain, may or may not, one, some, or all of them be present in inflammation. 
But they cannot be relied upon as always indicating it. The only true and 
constant indication is the fixed derangement of the equilibrium of the circula- 
tion or the nervous action, one of which is always present at first, and very 
soon both appear, in every case of fever and inflammation, no matter where 
located, nor by what cause excited. 

278. The action excited may be of a high or a low grade, or may occur in, 
and be modified by, constitutions affected by various morbific causes, as the 
scrofulous, the tuberculous, the erysipelatous, the bilious, the mercurial, &c, 
&c. ("the unhealthy/' 42), but its essential nature is always the same, viz., 
accumulation of blood in a part, with excitement of the arterial capillaries 
containing it, and collapse or compression of the absorbents, either occasioned 
by or finally producing obstructions to absorption by the venous and other 
radicles whose natural office is to remove it. And the procuring cause of all 
this action is one, the vital force. , 

279. Different diseases. How absurd, then, to divide this deranged 
action into parts, corresponding with the appearance of the exciting cause, 
as scarlet, yellow, spotted fever; with the season, as fall and winter fever ; 
the country, as tropical and northern, eastern, western and southern ; or 
the locality of the body, as brain and gastric fever, &c, &c; 1o call them 
so many different diseases (or disease at all), and prescribe for the dif- 
ferent cases different principles and means of treatment. No wonder that 
they who have considered fever and inflammation legion in number and 
chameleon in character, should never have learned anything certain respecting 
its nature, or agreed upon any judicious and efficient plan for its treatment. 
(34, 35, 36.) 

280. Suppuration. In the cases in which resolution can not be effected, 
the stasis of blood becomes nearly or quite complete, and then the tissues, 
unsupported by circulation, become a prey to the chemical affinities among 
them, are reduced to a thick, yellowish white fluid called pus, with which 
coagulable lymph, secreted from the still vital parts, is commingled and 
accumulated, constituting the various kinds of ulcers, boils, &c. The casting 
off of th'.s compound fluid, this mixture of the debris of the tissues and the 
healthy secretion, is called suppuration. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 77 

281. Granulation. When the injury is thus cleansed, or nearly so, the 
capillaries and coats of the arteries furnish from the blood proximate princi- 
ples of material called granules, with which, by uniting them to the broken 
tissue, it builds up the wastes, and this process is called granulation or 
healing. 

282. Ulcers, Tumors, <&c. If the local circulation be only partially im- 
peded, and the material deposited by it be not escharotic, but only mechan- 
ically obstructive, its accumulations form tumors, hard cancers, &c. But 
if it be very corrosive, even though not wholly obstructing the circulation, 
it produces lesion of tissue, suppuration, <fec, as in bronchitis and dysentery. 
If the fullness of the blush could be confined on the cheek, or the presence 
of arterial circulation could be retained in the feet, till the arterial capillaries 
should lose their tone, and the absorbents, for want of nutrition, should lose 
their vitality, or capability of responding to the action of the vital force, they 
would be left to the sole dominion of chemical affinity, which would decom- 
pose them and destroy the tissue, the debris, or partially disorganized 
elements of which, now called pus, become obstacles to the circulation, 
accumulate in the cavity formed by the lesion, and constitute the various 
kinds of ulcers, boils, &c. 

283. Suppuration, Healing. Let a soft part, through which lie nerves, 
blood-vessels, muscular fibres, &c, be bruised under the skin, by the severe 
application of some very rough substance, as an irregularly broken stone, the 
result is, that the parts of the tissue which are broken will be deprived of 
the conservative power of the vital force, and hence chemical affinity having 
full sway over them, will reduce them to proximate principles called pus, 
which will accumulate in the space that had been occupied by the tissue of 
which they are the debris or wreck, until a passage is effected for its egress 
from the body. Added to this pus, there is immediately cast into the cavity, 
from the uninjured parts, a healthy secretion termed coagulable lymph, of a 
character apparently much like the pus (except that the latter has lost its 
vegetative degree of vitality) for the purpose of building up the broken 
tissue. The discharge of this pus from the places of its accumulation is 
called suppuration. If the pus has been discharged through an outlet formed 
accidentally by the injury, or artificially by the lancet, so that it does not 
press upon and into and chemically decompose the surrounding vital tissue, 
and increase the extent of its destruction, the coagulable lymph is, by the 
vital force, formed into granules, or elements of tissue; these are attached to 
the broken tissue, one after another, in nearly organic order (42) (some- 
times that of an eschar) till the whole breach is mended up, and the circula- 
tion becomes free and nearly equal; and this is termed the process of healing, 
which is the last termination of inflammation. 

284. Gangrene or Mortification. In cases in which the circulation is at 
once totally suppressed, as by ligature, or the complete destruction of the 
arteries that nourish it, by whatever means produced, the tissues to which 
the blood should circulate, not being nourished nor defended by that fluid, 
chemical affinity (always resident in every particle of matter connected with 
the organization, as well as out of it) asserts its claims, at the same time, to 
every atom of the organized substance, and destroys it all together. This is 
gangrene or mortification, and is called by pathologists " the last stage of in- 
flammation" — pathologists who declare that " inflammation is a simple act 



78 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

of the constitution," <fcc. (42) — "purely physiological" (45) — designed to 
" close wounds and repair fractures" (44); " wLhout which no important 
curative action can take place !" (Erichsen's Surgery, page 33.) 

It has been clearly shown, however, that gangrene or mortification and 
the lesion of suppuration are the work of chemical affinity only, in opposition 
to the vital force that produces fever and inflammation, and are, therefore, 
no part or parcel of this process, nor consequence of it. 

285. The error and folly of the Faculty — and yet medical men have com- 
mitted the great error and folly of including them all in the same category, 
and calling them fever or inflammation in their different stages. When the 
vital force, having predominant control, has absorbed away offending matter 
and freed and equalized the circulation, without suffering chemical affinity 
to produce lesion, or destruction of tissue, they have called the process 
resolution or dispersion, and pronounced it healthy. When chemical affinity 
having dominion over some tissues, involved among other tissues, destroys 
those over which it has control, and the vital force, having predominating 
power over the rest of the tissue, preserves that from injury, casts off the 
products of chemical decomposition in the shape of pus, throws out a vital 
product termed coagulable lymph, or proximate principle of tissue, and 
mends up the breach made by its adversary, the doctors, not perceiving that 
one series of the phenomena is the result of the action of the vital force, and 
the other series that of the action of the chemical force, link all these actions 
together, and term them, resolution, inflammation, suppuration and gangrene, 
all different results of inflammation. 

286. Absurd conclusions. Hence, when the vital force prevails they term 
the inflammation healthy and sanative (Erichsen, p. 33); but, when the 
chemical force prevails they term it unhealthy and destructive. And 
because, from disproportion of constitution or of circumstantial relations of 
the vital to the chemical force (there being more power in some constitutions 
than in others; and in the same constitutions at some times and under some 
circumstances than at other times and in other circumstances), the vital force 
sometimes prevails to save; and at others the chemical force predominates to 
kill; they pronouncing, in the former cases, the inflammation, a process that 
" takes its rise in purely physiological conditions, and holds its progress and 
decline under the sama great natural [that is, physiological] laws of the con- 
stitution." But, when they see chemical affinity prevail in the process of 
suppuration, slow and molecular, or of gangrene, all in a mass, they call that 
also inflammation, and pronounce it, in its several stages and successions, 
fever and inflammation — "the two orders of disease which make up the 
great amount of human maladies, and form the grand outlets of life." (41.) 

When they observe that no injury can be healed without inflammation 
(44), they excite it, producing adhesions of tissues to prevent dropsical affu- 
sions between them (42, 44, Erichsen, p. 33). But if they see the system 
in other cases doing the very same thing without their aid, when they think 
it should not be done, they administer the deadly mercury to prevent it 
(81). With one breath they pronounce it the great generator of all the dis- 
eases of the body; and with the next they utter the ridiculous solecism, 
that "inflammation is the only disease which the surgeon can excite at his 
pleasure" (Watson), to accomplish the physiological process of healing a 
wound ! (44 Erichsen, p. 34). 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. _ 79 

287. Mai -practice. It is easy to see how these false estimates of the 
several processes and results involved in different cases of disease, should 
lead them always to a most absurd, and often to a most pernicious practice. 
In the first place, observing that, in cases in which fever is what they call 
high (frequently low), or unsuccessful, the patient often dies, and, having 
pronounced all the extra phenomena and their results fever or inflammation, 
they conclude that it is dangerous, in any case, to let the fever ' ' run too 
high," though they often see it "producing a crisis," (that is, removing ob- 
structions, and making a cure), without scientific or artificial assistance 
(44). Having, without knowing why or wherefore, attributed to these phys- 
iological operations the destruction of eight-ninths of all the human race 
(38), they have set themselves diligently to work to discover or devise some 
artificial means and processes by which, when their ignorance pronounces it 
disease, they may most effectually control it. Notwithstanding they have 
never settled any question concerning it (35), they have all agreed to call it 
disease (33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41); have divided it out into classes and 
orders, genera and species, and made it the basis of all the false systems of 
practice on the sick (28, 33, 41) (see their works on theory and practice) — 
and the source of all the confusion in doctrines of health and disease, and 
the character and modus operandi (action) of medicines, of all the medical 
men who have found medicine to be a "science of uncertainty," and its 
practice "an art of conjecture" (1, 19). 

288. Objections. Medical men will say — If inflammation presses on the 
mouths of the absorbents, and stops circulation, so that suppuration and 
gangrene (partial or total death) follow, then these must be, as we say, 
"terminations of inflammation." 

289. Answer. I have shown that inflammation is a result of vital action, 
and that these are results of chemical destruction of tissue or its vital ability 
to act. If it is caused by the one it is not by the other. No suppuration nor 
gangrene is seen when the circulation is free and full in every tissue of the 
body; so no inflammatory action is ever discovered in a dead body. In- 
flammation and lesion must therefore be results or terminations, of the action 
of opposite causes. 

290. Depletion. They will say that by "cupping and leeching external 
parts they remove accumulation from a part," and by venesection they check 
determination to the internal organs ; and that, if I strive, by counter relax- 
ation and stimulation, as with a bath, friction, stimulating liniments and 
enemas, to do the same, I prove that I, as well as they, consider inflamma- 
tion the disease to be removed. 

29 1 . Answer. By removing the blood from the body, they do not alter or 
correct the derangement of equilibrium; but they do so debilitate the whole, 
that the equilibrium is seldom afterward restored. 

292. By equalizing its distribution in the body, I both correct the derange- 
ment and restore equilibrium and health to every part, and retain the power 
to maintain them in the future. They relieve the inflammation by destroy- 
ing the power to produce it. I relieve it by removing the obstacles to a free 
circulation. In other words, they kill the fever, which is contending with 
obstructions; / remove the disease, of which the fever gives me the 
knowledge. 



80 

293. Objections. Changes in Blood. "But," it will be objected, "there 
are changes in the constitution of the blood in inflammation, and these can 
not be considered healthy actions." Answer, that depends on the cause and 
character of those changes. If they are vital, they consist in the formation 
of coagulable lymph to produce "adhesive inflammation," "glue parts to- 
gether," "close wounds," <fcc, (42, 44). But, if the changes are the re- 
duction of blood to its original elements, they are chemical, and not only no 
part of inflammation, but directly opposed to it. 

294. But, again it is said, "Inflammation continues in and about lesions, 
until the destruction of the part is completed." Very true, and that is proof 
that it is a vital, conservative and healing operation, designed and intended 
to mend up the depredation ; and faithful in its efforts to accomplish its mis- 
sion, as long as it can do any good. It never entirely surrenders a part, till 
chemical affinity obtains complete dominion. Nor can the part wholly die, 
so long as the inflammation in it is general and active. 

295. Difficulties. The student, amateur, or professional man who will 
take the trouble to bring all the "difficulties of inflammation," to the test of 
my descriptions of the conditions in which it is observed, will find them 
readily and philosophically solved on the vital or the chemical principle. 

296. Explanations of Difficulties. Velocity of circulation through inflamed 
parts. The above views of the vital processes and conditions termed inflam- 
mation, and of suppuration and gangrene, explain all the facts witnessed 
in all the cases, and, of course, may be relied upon as essentially true. For 
example : It is said that in some cases the blood flows more freely through 
an inflamed part than one that is not inflamed ; and that in others it flows 
slower or is impeded. The first of these statements is true in all cases that 
"cure themselves," that is, cases in which the determination of blood to the 
part does not exceed the power of the absorbents to remove it more rapidly 
than it ordinarily flows in, but not so rapidly as it flows in at the time. In 
other words, in all cases in which the pressure of the distended arterial 
capillaries on the absorbent radicles, does not reduce their excess of absorb- 
ent power so low as to prevent them from absorbing more than the quantity 
ordinarily thrown to the part, and soon relieving when the pressure is removed. 

The second (the stasis of circulation), occurs in all those cases in which 
a tumor or an ulcer is formed, or a lesion and suppuration are produced. For 
it is evident that the blood does not circulate freely through a cancer, a boil 
or a bruised part. But even in these cases, the inflammation extending 
around the part obstructed by anastomoses, (the connections of arteries with 
each other) the circulation through the limb, on the whole, will be greater 
than usual, till the obstruction extends so far as to overbalance this conserva- 
tive power over the whole, when less blood than usual will pass through 
the whole limb, and it will wither and decay, or mortify and slough. 

297. Localities of inflammation. Not being able to draw any definite 
physiological nor pathological lines between the different cases of inflamma- 
tion, medical men have attempted to name it according to its localities; 
general, as ossitis, enteritis, bronchitis, fascial, tendonous, &c; and particu- 
lar, as dental, maxillary, cranial ; duo-denitis, ileitis, jejunitis, colleitis, 
rectitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, &c, through every 
tissue and organ of the body. (See Dr. Gallup's Institutes, as good as any 
system, and based entirely on this principle.) Thus he calls every case of 



CRITCISED AND CORRECTED. 81 

inflammation, disease, and fastens it first on the fibrous, the serous, the 
raucous, the muscular, the nervous, the glandular, and the osseous tissues. 
Then he divided those above into every small locality, and the inflammation 
of each is called a special disease. 

But it is evident to the most careless thinker, that inflammation no more 
changes it character by change of locality in the body, than a man does his 
by traveling through the country, and resting a short time in the different 
cities of the land. Indeed, I have thought that fever and inflammation are 
well represented by a man now traveling over the country, and then confined 
to the city. In the former, he breathes and moves more freely, and is com- 
paratively at ease; in the latter, he is incarcerated, and must step and breathe 
short and quick, or he will be overrun and demolished by extraneous forces. 

Inflammation usually commences in some one of the prominent circulating- 
tissues; but in most cases, it soon spreads into others, and involves extensive- 
regions. The modus operandi of its diffusion is this: As one capillary is 
filled and distended, its neighbor is compressed, and the circulation in that 
is impeded. It swells, and in the same way annoys its neighbor, and so on , 
As the obstruction becomes more general, the blood is forced in greater quan • 
tities to even distant tissues, and excites tliem to inordinate action, and thus 
the "local inflammation" is soon "attended by general fever," and this fever 
is said to be "sympathetic with the inflammation." Presently this fever con- 
centrates on some irritable organ, whose high action invites the blood from 
the flrst, and thus the inflammation is said to be "translated," and the change 
is called metastasis. Each tissue manifests the action according to its own 
structure and plan of operations, yet that action is constantly the same in 
nature and design, all the differences being explained by reference to the 
structure and functions of the tissue and the character, action and tend- 
ency of the exciting cause. I give illustrations. 

298. Cases. Immersing the feet, hands, &c. Place your hands and your 
feet in water as warm as you can comfortably bear it, wash and rub them 
there till they become hot, red and swollen. Take them out and rub them 
dry with a towel, and your feet will feel quite tender if not even sore. So 
would your hands if they were not more accustomed to resist the heat. 
Now look at your feet and you see no venous blood. It is all forced away 
from the surface by the inordinate action of the vessels stimulated by heat, 
while the expansion by heat and moisture of the arterial capillaries, has 
given place to an unusual quantity of arterial blood, causing swelling ; and 
the two processes, rapid absorption and rapid circulation, combine to change 
the external or chiefly venous blood, to a greater arterial predominancy, and . 
of course, a brighter red than usual, and the stimulus given by the fresh 
arterial blood to the nerves excites soreness. These results will be more 
strikinglv manifested, when you immerse in warm water hands or feet that 
have become cold, blue and numb. 

This accumulation in a part of arterial blood, with excitement, usually mani- 
fested by some or all of the symptoms, heat, redness, swelling and tender- 
ness, soreness or pain — three degrees of nervous manifestation — are collect 
ively called inflammation. 

If the feet, &c, have not been very long kept in the water, so as to 
deprive in a measure the arterial capillaries of their power to contract to 
their proper dimensions, they will contract, and the venous absorbents soon 
lemove the surplus accumulation. When the equilibrium is restored, 

6 



82 

the swelling subsides, the heat escapes, the surface becomes paler and the 
tenderness or soreness vanishes. This is called resolution of the inflammation; 
and it always takes place in all cases in which the excessive stimulus is not 
continued, and there is no internal obstruction to the circulation. It is as I 
have already said, only when the arterial pressure to a part, and consequently 
excessive stimulus of the tissues of that part or the pressure of the circula- 
tion from other parts toward it, are continued till the arterial capillaries are 
so overwrought as to lose the power to contract to any thing like their proper 
dimensions, that the power of resolution is destroyed, and the inflammation 
becomes permanent, and fruitless in its efforts to recover equilibrium. 

299. In the case of a Blush, the arterial capillary excitement, heat and 
expansion produce the fullness and redness; but, the action of the exciting 
cause being momentary, the restoration of the equilibrium is also momentary. 
In the case of the bathed feet, the action is longer continued, more heat, 
swelling and a keener nervous sensibility are induced, the prostration of 
tissue becomes greater, and, of course, the resolution is slower. 

300. The external surface. Treatment. Inflammation of the surface is 
excited by many causes; but the disease consists in a closed condition of the 
emunctories and of the arterio-venous capillaries, checking perspiratory de- 
puration, and generating and confining caloric. In this case, the applica- 
tions to the surface should be cool and moist, to absorb the caloric and re- 
lax the tissue, that the depuration may be effected and the circulation 
relieved ; and bland drinks should be administered to supply the water that 
has been removed by the previous excitement. All this is effected by simply 
equalizing the condition of the secernent and the absorbent tissues, which 
neither blood-letting nor poisons ever accomplish ; and hence, the patient 
wholly recovers under the influence of the former practice ; but never does 
while the latter is continued. Blood-letting, cupping, leeching, scarifying, 
calomelizing, narcotizing, blistering, freezing and starving, which make the 
case the more dangerous the longer and more vigorously they are applied, 
must all be stopped, long before the patient can recover from disease, or their 
pernicious effects ; but lobelia, cayenne, vapor baths, any innocent tonics 
and stimulants, may be used as needed, till the patient is perfectly well. 
This fact alone shows which practice is what nature demands, and which is 
destructive, and also shows that nervous and arterial excitement is not the 
disease to be subdued. 

301. In Erysipelas, the exciting cause of the inflammation is a very 
irritating agent (no matter what, but always of the same character), which 
keeps up a constant excitement. This causes a burning pain, much heat, 
and, finally, debility, whence follow stasis, suppuration, <fec mechanical 
and chemical effects. 

302. In Scarlatina, either a similar irritant, but not the same in all 
respects, or perhaps the same irritant, under different conditions of the 
tissues, provokes the vital efforts to the production of different symptoms, 
and gives to chemical affinity an opportunity to produce different patholo- 
gical results. And similar causes, all extraneous to the vital force, produce 
the different manifestations of tissue and its destruction, in measles, rash, 
small-pox, and all inflammatory and painful cutaneous derangements. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 83 

333. Mucous Membrane. Inflammation of this membrane, wherever situ- 
ated, is excited by various causes; but the disease consists essentially in the 
too great relaxation and excitement of the secernents, and the consequent 
contraction of the absorbents; so that, instead of discharging mere mucus, 
as in health, it discharges coagulable lymph with the mucus, and this is 
called muco-purulent matter. In the eye this can be seen forming abnormal 
blood-vessels, and supporting a semi-vital membrane that covers the sclerotic 
coat of the inner canthus to the iris, and sometimes extends entirely over the 
pupil, producing blindness. In these cases, the indication is to equalize the 
circulation over the whole system, by means of a vapor bath and anti-spas- 
modic and soothing drinks, and to check the determination to the part 
affected, by the use directly of cold water and astringent lotions, constantly 
applied. A strong astringent to this parasitic tissue, applied for some days, 
while the surface is kept freely open and the bowels healthy, will so close it 
as to obliterate the false vessels, stop the exudation into them of blood and 
coagulable lymph, when, having lost their vital support, they will decompose, 
and may be wiped away with a silk handkerchief. In the inflammation of 
the alvine canal, aromatics and mild astringents should be used, as drinks 
and enemas, in connection with the bath. In the lungs, inhalation of 
astringent aromatics, as witch-hazel. While these astringents are given, care 
must be taken to warm and relax the surface, and invite away the circulation 
from within. If tormina or pain within occur, the astringents should be 
omitted, and baths, aromatics and nervines used, till the astringents give no 
uneasiness, when they may be repeated. 

304. Bronchitis. This is inflammation of the lining membrane of the 
bronchial tubes. Here we have access to the part affected; but what treat- 
ment does it need? The abstraction of blood, not from the body, but from 
that tissue; and this is effected by exciting other tissues to high action, espe- 
cially the external surface. Meanwhile, care should be taken to soothe the 
irritated membrane by inhaling relaxing and aromatic vapors or gases, and 
taking these and mucilaginous substances internally. 

304 a. Enteritis is a name given to an inflamed condition of the mucous 
membrane of the intestines. It will do for the whole alvine canal. In this 
case, the blood is accumulated beyond the necessary, healthful measure, 
in the internal canal. If morbific agents within have excited and called it 
forth, they should be removed by emetics and enemata. If the irritation 
was without, as in a cold, and the blood forced to the center, it is likely to 
be of the congestive order; but if it commenced by irritation of the internal 
canal direct, it is more likely to be of the active kind. Both cases require 
the same character of treatment, viz., the relaxation and stimulation of the 
surface and the soothing and cooling of the alvine canal, and astringing it, 
if necessary. 

305. Serous Membranes. In inflammation of the serous membranes, 
having no access to them, we must be content to depend wholly on the 
general equalization of the circulation, without any local applications; and 
we find that the All -Wise " Former of our bodies, and Father of our spirits" 
was aware of this, and so constructed those membranes, and gave them a 
recuperative power so great, that if we do all we can, where we can, they will 
need none. Thus we find it quite as easy to cure pleurisy or peritonitis, as 
bronchia's and enteritis; or erysipelas and scarlatina; and, while Allopathy 



84 

acknowleges that her depleting and antiphlogistic treatment often fails, and 
sometimes kills, the Physio-Medical treatment, faithfully applied, never fails 
in cases of a good constitution, taken at the access. In over twenty years 
extensive practice, we have never lost a case of pleurisy, peritonitis, phren- 
itis, bronchitis, enteritis, erysipelas, scarlatina, rubeola, nor variola, when 
we were the only physician in the cases, and only two or three of them all 
when we had "any part or lot " in the treatment. 

306. Pericarditis, Pleuritis and Peritonitis are names used to indicate 
the state called inflammation of the smooth membrane that lines the cavities 
containing the heart, lungs, stomach, and bowels — viz., accumulation of 
blood, with excitement in that membrane. 

It is caused by abstracting, too suddenly, and in too great quantity, the 
heat from the external surface (and sometimes the lungs, by breathing chilly 
air, and even the alvine membrane, by eating ice and drinking ice water), 
and thus contracting the caliber of the external and the mucous capillaries, 
so as to make them refuse admission to the blood, and compel the heart to 
send it to the internal serous membranes. 

Here it is evident that no direct application can be made, as in the case 
of the mucous surfaces. The treatment must be directed wholly to the 
equalizing of the circulation, by the relaxation of the external and the 
mucous surface. 

Blood-letting reduces the quantity of the blood, but does not equalize its 
distribution. It also reduces the power of the tissues to recover their equi- 
librium of action, and therefore does much harm and no good. Many die 
because of it, who would recover without it. 

307. Arachnitis. In arachnitis, inflammation of the arachnoid membrane, 
that which divides the cavity of the cranium, so as to present one surface 
toward the dura-mater, or lining membrane of the skull, and the other 
toward the pia-mater, which covers the surface and the convolutions of the 
brain, and involves between its plates nearly all the blood-vessels that sup- 
port and those that purify the brain, we have a locality of inflammation 
entirely beyond the reach of any external application. Blood-letting, to the 
utmost extent to which the power of life would permit, would reduce the 
strength and fullness of the pulse, but would not restore the equilibrium, 
which is the only cure. It may be said that many have recovered under it. 
So they have, but in spite of it. The recovery was effected by keeping the 
surface and lower extremities warm, and giving diffusive stimulants, which 
would have done it much better before the blood was extracted, and saved 
the health and strength of the patient in the cases that recovered, and the 
lives of thousands that have been wholly sacrificed to this barbarous practice. 

308. In Scrofula and Cancer, the morbific cases are not so irritating to 
the nerves, as those of ulcers and boils, and hence we have the swellings and 
chemical suppurations, and sometimes gangrene, without much heat and 
pain. In scrofula the morbid cause is somewhat corrosive, and hence we 
have often open ulcers and suppuration. In cancer, the morbific cause is not 
corrosive ; it accumulates and remains a long time without producing any 
great disturbance, till it finally checks altogether circulation in the tissues in 
which it is imbedded, when chemical, having the advantage over vital action 
destroys the tissue. Hence, too, the open cancer often remains for a long 
time about at a stand, the battle between life and death being nearly equal. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 85 

But, in all these cases, the inflammatory act is the same. In scrofulous 
tumors the abscess lancet will open them, and nature will cast out all the 
matter ; in cancers, it is necessary to use some severe escharotic or astrin- 
gent to remove that which clings so tenaciously to its location, that unassisted 
nature cannot disengage it. Hence the cancer plasters, till the morbific 
matter is removed, and the poultices to cleanse, and the salves to heal the 
wound, — that is, to protect it from injury and keep it soft and moist till 
nature heals it. 

309. Cancers. When the morbific matter is not corroding to the living, 
healthy and freely acting tissue, it obstructs only mechanically and forms a 
tumor which may exist a long time in the tissue, without producing lesion. 
This is called the cancer. Little inflammation is manifest, till lesion is pro- 
duced by artificial means, or the pressure becomes so great as to entirely 
prevent circulation, when suppuration will commence as in case of the 
splinter, and will continue with inflammatory action, till all the obstructing 
material is removed, when it will heal as kindly as the same constitution 
would, if a splinter had been thrust there and withdrawn. But all these 
distinctions are to be ascribed to the different characters of the exciting causes, 
and the different states of the system in which they are excited. All that 
can be called inflammation in any of these cases, is the accumulation of blood 
with excitement in the tissues, and whatever of granulation is produced, is 
the result of the conservative action of the vital force, designed, as Hunter 
says, to bring about a reinstatement of the parts to nearly their healthy con- 
dition (42). 

310. Ulcers, Boils. In cases in which the circulation is so obstructed by 
internal morbific matter, as to induce suppuration without the aid of a bruise, 
<fcc, the matter so accumulated is sometimes very corrosive, decomposing 
promptly, all the tissues, even the bones (142, 143, 148 to 151) and pro- 
ducing that species of complete destruction called an abscess — an ulcer. If 
the material is not quite so destructive, it may remove the muscular tissue 
first, and afterward the fibrous, in the shape of what is called a core, as seen 
in boils. 

If inflammation and suppuration occur in some conditions of the system, 
they are called scrofulous ; if in others erysipelatous ; in some cases the 
inflammation is called acute, in others chronic, but the acti;n is always the 
same. Thus the Allopathic faculty call that which is permanent, one, in- 
divisible, always the same under all circumstances, by different names, and 
give it different characters and treatment according to its circumstances, 
instead of calling it always by the same name, and treating it always in the 
same manner, and removing every obstacle to its free and universal diffusion. 

311. Let a splinter of wood be thrust into the flesh: the circulation 
through that point is impeded, the blood accumulates in the arteries broken, 
and excites the tissues surrounding the injury to an inordinate degree of 
action. The blood rushes by the impediment through anastomoses into other 
arteries with still greater velocity, producing great excitement and heat. 
This heat, combined with the moisture of the blood, relaxes and distends the 
part, and produces the redness and swelling and often the pain, which is only 
il notice given to the general system that such a department is injured ; and 
all which combined, are what are called the most prominent symptoms of 
inflammation. Thus the circulation through the locality of the splinter is 



86 ALLOrATIIY EXPOSED, 

arrested, while that round about it is increased, until the arterial capillaries 
are so distended as to close the absorbents by pressure, when the circulation 
there also is impeded ; but the irritation remains, and, of course, the heat, 
soreness and pain continue. Those parts of the tissue that are thus deprived 
of the support which a free circulation gives them before the introduction of 
the obstructing body, now become the easy prey of the chemical affinity 
always resident in their elements, and they decompose and turn to pus. 
This loosens the splinter which, if one end be through the surface, the pres- 
sure of the tissues on it forces out. If deep seated, the destruction continues, 
and the pus accumulates, till either it corrodes its way out or is removed by 
artificial means. This destruction of living tissues, and removal of the debris 
or its elements, is effected, the first by chemical action, and the second by 
vital, and is called suppuration. As soon as the splinter is removed, the 
arterial capillaries throw into the vacancy coagulable lymph and blood 
globules or proximate principles of tissue, which are arranged in organic 
order, and the tissue wasted is rebuilt. 

312. Fever and Inflammation. We are now able to describe in a nutshell , 
what is properly indicated by these words. It consists essentially in the accu- 
mulation of blood with excitement in a tissue. Its usual symptoms are heat, 
redness, pain and swelling ; one or more, in many cases, imperceptible. Its 
terminations are only resolution ; the casting away of effete matter in 
the course of suppuration ; and the granulation and adhesion which are 
called the healing process. 

Therefore, inflammation is not disease, but nature's efforts to prevent and 
cure disease, and should not be subdued but aided in our practice. 

Suppuration and gangrene often improperly attributed to inflammation, are 
the results of chemical action (280, 284). 

Hence it is not wonderful that they who call it disease and strive to sub- 
due it in practice, should never learn what it is, nor what is " disease, nor 
what is a suitable remedy" (Rush 6). 

313. Fulfillment of my promise. "Fallacies of the Faculty ." Quackery. 
I think I have now written enough (though under very unfavorable circum- 
stances, with a jaded intellect and in odds and ends of time chiefly occupied 
with other subjects of thought and action, as business and professional avo- 
cations) to convince all the thoughtful and candid of my readers that the 
great "Error of Errors/' the fatal "fallacy of the faculties" of Allopathy, 
has ever been the adoption in practice of the doctrine that irritation, fever 
and inflammation are essentially different from each other, and all entitled to 
the appellation of disease, and treated according to this doctrine. 1 have 
shown clearly enough, that the reason why they cannot comprehend its 
nature (35) nor its tendency (19) ; nor the character and tendency (20 and 
78 to 151) of the remedies used to cure it, is because they refuse to recog- 
nize and treat it as " a salutary operation," "for the restoration of injuries," 
"an effort of nature," "of only one kind," "curative," Ac. (42). But, 
condemning it as constituting the " orders of disease that make up the great 
amount of human maladies and form the grand outlets of life !" (41), they 
must, of course, contend against its action, with means and "measures'* 
Avhich their experience informs them are the most effectual to subdue it. 
Hence the deadly narcotics for the nerves ; the lancet for the circulation, and 
mercury to " regulate the secretions," and " control adhesive inflammation," 
have ever been their trinity of remedies for this tri-headed monster — this 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 87 

" irritatio-febrile inflammation" (all exhibited at once in phrenitis) called 
disease. Hence, too, the united warfare of Allopathy and all her dutiful 
children, against giving to a sick patient any thing that will excite " this 
disease," such as cayenne, ginger, or other spices ; or even the most pleasant 
drinks, or other nutritious aliment. Hence their warfare against vapor baths, 
exercise, and even cheerful company — which all " excite that terrible hydra- 
headed dragon, fever, whose " nature," character, " course and termination," 
are "still problems in" their '* medical science" (28 to 38). 

Here, it seems to me that I might, with a good grace, bid Allopathy fare- 
well ; but I am met with an answer in the shape of an alternative with which 
I shall yet have much to do, and therefore I may as well attack it at once, 
and break the force of its future opposition. The alternative to which I 
allude, is the one to which all sensible and scientific men repair, when they 
have no true principles to guide them — I mean the final resort : — 

314. Experience. By experience is meant that information or those 
conclusions, habits or feelings which we derive from observation and demon- 
stration. These are, indeed, the only means we possess of making sure to us 
the knowledge of any thing ; and, if conducted on right principles, and in a 
natural or scientific manner, they are infallible. When perfect in character, 
and sufficient in extent to grasp examples that illustrate all its doctrines, they 
soon make manifest and certain to the experimenter, the true principles that 
constitute the science. If therefore, the Doctors have no science ( I to 18), 
it must be because their experience is false (19), having been conducted with 
one end in view, by the aid of means that tend to another. They have 
labored to cure disease with means that tend to make it, and to kill. How long 
must they experiment in this way, to learn the science of life, and the art 
of healing? How long before they can say any thing else than, "fallax 
experieniia !" (19). How long before they learn any thing of " the action of 
external agents on the body" (20) ; whether they are killing or curing their 
patient (20, 27); whether they are or are not "multiplying diseases and 
increasing their mortality ?" (26). 

But let us not be satisfied with asking such "hard questions." Let us 
give the answer in the one short word — never! and proceed to show them 
what they are slow to learn — the character and tendency of their chief 
''remedial agents," and the consequent evil influence of their "Experience." 

Having no science (4) or demonstrated principles (5), Allopathists "go 
for experience," (Prof. Harrison, Rec. vol. x, p. 10.) and yet, notwith- 
standing their experience has taught them that opium, lancets and mercury 
will surely kill a well man, if they give them freely, they still call it false 
(19). Hippocrates said "Fallax experientia." And Abercrombie and Jack- 
son repeat the slander (19). On the other hand, they declare that even the 
most nutritious food and pleasantest drinks may become poison when given 
to a sick person (Dr. Locke on Toxicology). 

Even my excellent friend, and, in many respects colaborer in medical re- 
form, who has learned, by experience, most surely, that antimony, opium and 
calomel, "are absolutely poisons," and that water and coarse bread, rasp- 
berries and cranberries are absolutely nutritious and remedial, not having 
got rid of the erroneous idea that "fever is both a disease and a sanative 
effort," <fcc, (Discus) joins them in the condemnation of the very means by 
which he acquired all the knowledge he possesses as a guide to the true 
character and action of any thing between opium and calomel, and "grits" 



88 

and cranberries! Experience, lie thinks, has nothing to do with settling- 
such questions. It is purely "a question of science" or knowledge. Pray 
what are any sciences but the fruits of discovery and experiments? 

Let us therefore learn from observation and the experiments of somebody, 
if not ourselves, what are the character and tendency of the remedial agents 
of Allopathy. But let us not, like others, be deceived by a wrong interpre- 
tation of the facts of experience. 

315. The character and action of remedial agents. We here see clearly 
the reason why medical men of the Allopathic school, have never been able 
to determine the character of agents (20), or their modus operandi on the 
system (20, 85 to 89) ; whether they should call them food or medicines or 
poisons (98); whether sometimes one and sometimes the other (96). Com- 
pare 49 to 54, with 55 to 70, also 71 to 73 with 74 to 79. Lastly, 78 to 84 
with 85 to 151, and it will be seen that the greatest confusion of ideas, and 
uncertainty of knowledge, even of matters that can be observed by every 
body, prevail among medical men of the highest distinction in regard to the 
above subjects. 

As all irritants may excite that accumulation of blood and action which 
constitutes fever, if any are administered, in moderate quantities, when 
there is power in the system to defend itself against their mischievous action, 
and get rid of them, they are called "good remedies ;" but, if the system is 
feeble and yields to their deadly grasp, the same agents are called poisonous, 
mischievous, destructive. 

316. Remedies the cause of disease. Of 135 forms of disease described by 
Prof. Eberle in his "Theory and Practice," he gives, among the causes of forty- 
two, some of the very remedies he recommends to cure these and others. 

Dr. Dunglison, in his Theory and Practice, gives to a few of the Sam 
sons of Allopathy, viz : Mercury, Lead, Arsenic, Tobacco, Blood-letting, 
Rye-spur (secale cornutum), Copper, Antimony, Cantharides, Opium, Nux 
Vomica, Strychnia, Brucia, Alcohol and Acupuncturation, the credit of pro- 
ducing thirty of the worst forms of disease with which the human body is 
afflicted, and yet he was far too cautious of the reputation of poisons, and 
too ignorant of their real character and action, to do half justice to the sub- 
ject. They are the chief causes of many other forms of disease, as dyspep- 
sia, diarrhea, dysentery, scrofula, apoplexy, herpes, phthisis, and a host of 
other forms of disease not named among their evil effects by either him or 
Dr. Eberle, though each of these gentlemen enumerates some that the other 
does not, and omits some that the other names as caused by the "remedies." 

How valuable must be the remedies that produce such a list of terrible 
forms of disease, especially as many of them are never seen in persons who 
have not had the honor to have been treated by the Allopathic faculty ! 

How can they ever learn what are "suitable medicines" (6), while they 
persist in treating every form of disease with deadly poisons and destructive 
instruments ? 

317. Blood-letting. As a remedy in fever and inflammation, in the legiti- 
mate Allopathic practice, "blood-letting ranks pre-eminently the first" (Mar- 
shall Hall (50). "The best because the most effective" (Clutterbuck 51). 
"The most proper mode of depletion" (Paine 52). "The sheet anchor of 
hope" (Paine 54). "No substitute can be found or desired for it" (More- 
head 53). 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 89 

Can any remedy have higher recommendations? Would not the Allopathic 
practitioner who neglected to bleed a case of fever or inflammation, deserve 
severe censure from the faculty, whether he lost it or not? Is it right in 
any case to trifle with uncertain means when we have a remedy for which 
"no substitute can be found or desired?" Thank God, many Allopathic 
doctors have, from their observation and experience of its deadly results, 
ventured to reject it altogether, and to resort to means that are suitable and 
effective. 

But, as this is not Allopathy, we will examine carefully the therapeutic 
operation of blood-letting, and see how far it merits .our attention. 

In the first place, in fever and general inflammation, the digestion and 
nutrition are usually suspended, while the wear and tear of the system are 
increased. It is therefore important that the tissues should have the benefit 
of all the nutritious matter already in the blood, till the equilibrium is 
restored. 

But blood-letting takes away a portion of this nutritious matter, and thus 
becomes, as Hunter says, " one of the greatest weakeners " (55), for which, 
as Professor Morehead says, " no remedy remains for counteracting or 
removing the injuries which it has inflicted" (60). 

Secondly. The removal of blood permits the capillaries of the arteries to 
contract still more, and this contraction is the greatest where the vessels 
are the least debilitated by too long excitement ; hence the irregularity of 
the circulation is still the same if not greater, certainly no less ; and from 
this contraction of the vessels " to adapt themselves to the measure of blood 
that remains," there arise a "nervous irritation," a "palpitation of the 
heart, a pulsation of the arferies," that "add as largely to the exhaustion as 
the depletion that produced them" (67), till, by being bled "again and 
again," by the ignorant, reckless operator, the patient expires, a victim "to 
the treatment instead of the disease" (J. M. Good, 67). 

Thirdly. As the capillaries are diminished by the removal of the pressure 
of the blood from their elastic coats, the globules adhere to those coats 
and to each other, and soon block up these vessels, and produce the very 
stagnation which the blood-letting is perpetrated with intention to prevent. 

Fourthly. Immediately on the stagnation of the blood, a change in its 
composition commences ; and, because of this well known fact, blood-letting 
is recommended to prevent this stagnation and keep it pure and healthy ! 
It is practiced to prevent or relieve plethora in pregnant women, and men 
disposed to apoplexy. But I have shown that it tends, by its weakening 
influence, to produce stasis, and of course deterioration, as any one can 
observe in the cases of persons who are thus bled, or of those who suffer 
often from spontaneous hemorrhage from the mucous tissues. 

Fifthly. By reducing the quantum of that fluid, blood-letting both dimin- 
ishes anc^ depraves all the secretions of the system. In whatever light we 
view it, then, blood-letting tends directly to the destruction of some im- 
portant sustenance or function, consequently to death rather than to life. 

318. Mercurializing. Inflammation is indispensable to the healing of a 
wound (42 to 44); but mercury prevents this healing process by "stopping 
the effusion of coagulable lymph," the only means of healing wounds (92); 
"controlling adhesive inflammation" (81). It "limits or removes affu- 
sions" (84). " Deranges the vital forces" (93). Takes the place of the dis- 
ease (U. S. Dispensatory, 94). It " promotes scrofula and glandular diseases 



90 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

and hastens decomposition' ' (95). " It is a powerful depressor of the 
energies of life, and demolishes the very pillars of human health" (96). " A 
Samson to do evil" (McLellan's Surgery, 105). "It produces delirium, 
palsy and epilepsy" (Bell, 99). "Destroys the red blood, pulls down parts 
of the building" (Watson, 109). Destroys the glands (124) and the bones 

!100, 141), and "for ever deprives the patient of a perfect restoration" 
Good, 119). See Nos. 78 to 151, particularly 146 and 148 to 151. 

If mercury produces such effects as these, it may well be pronounced 
"the great anti-febrile, anti-inflammatory alterant of the materia medica" 
(78), since all its alterations tend to death, and destruction of even the bones, 
which the very grave will spare and preserve, if it receives them before they 
are decomposed by mercury. If it is anti-febrile and anti-inflammatory, it 
must be so because fever and inflammation tend to health. Be that as it may, 
it would seem scarcely probable that any man with his eyes open to the 
above effects of this "greatest and best remedy divine goodness ever revealed 
in answer to the diligent search of man" (78), would desire to enjoy these 
effects, as "substitutes" for the fever and inflammation (93, 143). 

318 a. Of the aids to mercury, in its great work of " controlling inflam- 
mation," I need only say of antimony, digitalis, &c, that they are merely 
humble followers in the same great labor of " demolishing the very pillars of 
human health." They work after the same manner, and to the same end, 
as their great predecessor, in the battle of disease and death against the 
powers of health and life. 

319. Narcotizing — Opium. But, let us now take notice of that other 
"magnum Dei donum (great gift of God), for the* relief of human suffering" 
(Harrison), " more extensively employed than any other single article of the 
materia medica" (71) "for the relief of nervous irritation in its various 
forms" — this "foreign substance," which is "contrary to nature," and 
"makes inflammation of the brain and of the stomach and bowels worse," 
perhaps incurable" (74); "never to be got rid of perhaps through life" 
(74); a means by which "innumerable infants have been irretrievably 
ruined" (Eberle, 76); a remedy (?) by which seven times as much mis- 
chief as good has been done on the great theater of its use (76 b); that 
" dangerous sedative, as deceptive as the serpent of Eden, and its effects too 
often equally fatal" (76 c). 

Now, as "irritation" is considered a dangerous "disease," calculated to 
"exhaust the vital powers," as much as blood-letting does (67), it seems 
rather strange that a drug so mischievously exhausting as opium and its like 
are described to be, should be recommended to keep up vital action and restore 
health. If opium deadens the nervous system, and checks, through it, the 
circulation, including the secretions and excretions, and therefore prevents 
the healthy purification of the body, retaining the morbific and ingested 
agents within it, and the blood to stagnate, and all to be decomposed, and 
thus in their elementary state to become corrosive agents, engines of mis- 
chief to the system, can it be desirable to procure a temporary relief from 
suffering, by the substitution of the sedation of narcotics for the "irritation" 
of the nerves, by which alone they and all the rest of the system are pre- 
served from destruction? Yet such is the uniform — the unavoidable effect, 
whenever opium is given to allay irritation! Being "contrary to nature" 
(74 b), it can not reasonably be expected to aid nature in the removal of 
disease. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 91 

Here, then, it is manifest, both from the testimony and the experiments 
of its best friends, that opium is indeed "as deceptive as the serpent of 
Eden, and too often equally fatal" (76 c). Other narcotics are similar in 
nature, and, of course, produce the same effects ! 

320. Of the minor operations of Allopathy, such as cupping, leeching and 
blistering, I need say but little, except that they are considered by their 
advocates, hand-maids and helps-meet, to the cardinal practice of depleting, 
mercurializing and narcotizing. Except leeching, they are based on the 
correct principle of counter-irritation, and would be good but for the fact 
that they are so circumscribed, and effected by such means, that they do 
more mischief than they relieve. Cupping, leeching and blistering destroy 
texture, and leeching and blistering inflict on the body poisonous effects as 
well as wounds which it is often difficult to eradicate. Phlebitis and stran- 
gury are among the very pleasant effects of leeching and blistering, and 
gangrene and death have many a time succeeded both. 

321. Good food and medicines rejected. As good food always excites the 
action of the tissues of digestion, it increases a fever ; of course they who 
believe fever to be disease, will condemn good food as poison. Dr. Locke, 
in his Lecture on Toxicology, says that even our most approved articles of 
food, may become poisonous by concentration or injudicious use. As a 
chemist he ought to know that their character can never be altered while 
they retain the same constitution, whatever may be the conditions of the 
system to which they are administered. And as a physiologist and a physi- 
cian, he ought to know that, to make them act in a proper manner, that is, 
according to their nature, he should remove the wrong conditions of the 
system. Good medicines are condemned for the same reason. 

322. The great error of Allopathisls in deciding on the character of a 
remedy as sanative or destructive, physiological or pathogenetic, consists in 
their not ascertaining whether the remedy invites and aids irritation, inflam- 
mation and fever, or provokes them to make efforts to expel it. The former 
are sanative, "curative;" the latter are pathogenetic, "destructive" — 
"poisonous," not so by quantity and injudicious use, but by nature and 
tendency, in any quantity and by any use. 

And all systems that involve the same errors in regard to these vital mani- 
festations, involved the same error, however circumscribed their action on 
the system. We here learn that all the reform there is in the systems 
that involve any violence or poisons, consists merely in the more limited appli- 
cation of them, but not in the correction of the principle, and of course, are 
liable at all times to fall back to the old extreme. These are not radical and 
permanent reforms. 

323. Medical Reasoning. Professor J. P. Harrison said, "We do not 
reason on medicine as we do on other subjects." "Disease is an unnatural 
condition, and must be met with an unnatural remedy." (Vol. X Recorder, 
No. 1). 

It is even so. Hemorrhage must be stopped by blood-letting, diarrhea by 
physic, salivation by mercury, and stupidity must be roused by opium ! ! 
But all these "doctrines" and practices arise from their ignorance of or dis- 
obedience to physiological laws, and the character and action of these their 
favorite "remedies !" And all this false or unique "reasoning," arises from 
the one fundamental error inserted as a postulate in their medical syllogism, 



92 

viz., "irritation, fever and inflammation are disease"— "the three orders 
of it that make up the great amount of human maladies and form the grand 
outlets of life" (41). 

They reason thus: "Diseases should be cured [very true]. Irritation, 
fever, and inflammation are diseases [false]. Therefore these must be cured" 
[false]. 

If the second postulate were true, the third would be legitimate, and the 
practice of depleting and narcotizing, mercurializing, freezing and starving 
would be scientific and successful. 

I have proved that these are not the disease, and of course, not the affections 
to be cured. But they admit the error without proof, or rather against their 
own positive declarations (42, 43, 45) and their conclusive demonstrations 
(44, 206 b). Yet they go on — "progress !" " If disease, fever, irritation, 
&c, must be cured, it must be cured with something that will cure it" (not 
with that which will excite and increase it. Having no positive science (4), 
they go in for experience, which is no better (19). "All experience shows 
that opium and other narcotics will allay and check irritation (71, 73); and 
that the lancet and sedative poisons, as digitalis, antimony and mercury, will 
reduce fever and inflammation (53, 54, 78 to 84), and that ice and starva- 
tion will complete the business of subduing what we dare not effect by 
depletion. Therefore, 

"These are our remedies for irritation, fever and inflammation !" 

Again, 

"Vapor baths, air, food, stimulants, as cayenne, ginger, spices, &c, in- 
crease irritation, fever and inflammation (which are disease), therefore these 
are proscribed !" 

But, lastly, 

"We find that sometimes disease (irritation, fever and inflammation) cures 
itself, or is cured by the very stimulants above proscribed ! Therefore, we 
believe that they are sometimes sanative (44) and sometimes destructive" 
(38, 40, 41), and that, of course, lancets and cayenne, lobelia and calomel, 
asarum and opium, hot water and ice, feeding and starvation, are, like the 
particles, very, large, long, and short, in language, destitute of any qualities 
of their own, but dependent on their relations to other things ! They are 
all poisons or good medicines, according to the injudicious or judicious use 
made of them ! that is, as the patient dies or lives, "post hoc" (after their 
administration)! " They are all good medicines in skillful hands;" that is, 
the hands that have never learned whether they are, in their nature, poison- 
ous or destructive, sanative or healing ! But the most innocent of them are 
rendered very dangerous and destructive by the simple rejection, by the ad- 
ministrator, of the doctrine that irritation, fever and inflammation are disease, 
and the using of them according to the notion that these affections are 
" physiology deranged." Such is the " reasoning" of Allopathy ! and well 
did Prof. Harrison say it is " not as on other subjects." 

It can scarcely excite surprise in any reflecting mind that has perused 
carefully the preceding pages, that from such premises and such a coui-se of 
reasoning, medical men should have come to the conclusion that " Allopathic 
medicine is not a science for a methodical mind, but a shapeless assemblage 
of inaccurate ideas and deceptive remedies," &c. (4), and that, owing to 
their "ignorance of disease and of a suitable remedy" (6), their practice 
being a dangerous speculation (24), should generally " multiply diseases and 
increase their mortality " (26). 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 93 

324. Quackery. Before I dismiss this part of my subject, I will most 
cheerfully admit that some of the clinical practice of many Allopathic physi- 
cians not only does not deserve the above condemnation, but merits the 
cordial approbation and support of every philanthropist, being attended with 
uniformly good results. I have seen such; but^ when I examined its char- 
acter, I found it to consist of the judicious application of innocent remedies, 
which wrought according to their nature, whatever might be the notions of the 
doctor who had adopted their use because he had observed that they produced 
a better effect than the "legitimate" means and processes of the Allopathic 
system, which are depletion and sedation, or stimulation with deadly agents, 
as narcotics. But this, in them, is quackery, not being in accordance with 
the doctrines of their science ! 

324 a. As to the Allopathists* using anti-poison remedies, such a course 
does not prove any thing for Allopathy, because they, not being "anti- 
inflammatory" agents, can not cure according to the "regular" logic (323). 
If fevers sometimes cure themselves, it is because they remove the obstacles 
to their free action, and if good medicines sometimes cure them, it is because 
they remove the obstructions "which render the fever necessary" (Hunter). 
If poisons seem to cure, it is because the system cures itself by its efforts to 
expel them! A pure Allopathy can not use an agent innocent in character, 
because such agents aid fever instead of opposing it. 

Did I believe its doctrines concerning irritation and inflammation, I 
should not, in any case, use the remedies I now do. I should call that 
quackery. I should obey Dr. Dewees's direction in the treatment of puer- 
peral fever. I should bleed till " the disease" was " subdued, or the patient 
expired" — both which, admitting the fever to be disease, would occur at the 
same time and from the same cause ! 

325. Reform in Allopathy. Although many Allopathic physicians reject 
blood-letting in part, and not a few almost, and some quite always; though 
some reject mercury almost entirely, and others use far less than they did, 
though even opium is not used so freely as it once was, yet such reforms 
have often been made and abandoned, while the doctrine has remained the 
same; yet I am still constrained to believe, with the distinguished Dr. Forbes 
of London, and Professor Henderson of Edinburg, that Allopathic medicine, 
as now practiced throughout the civilized world, and especially in the United 
States, does far more mischief than good. Some persons have taken 259 
grains of calomel and lived, others have taken three grains and died of mer- 
curialis; while yet others innumerable, have been ruined for life by taking 
the commonly authorized doses; and the same is true of the lancet and 
opium; so that, on the whole, no consideration would induce me, when sick, 
to submit my case to the care of a consultation of a dozen of the most learned 
Allopathic doctors in any city of this country. I look upon the whole Allo- 
pathic practice as a source of misery and premature death, that has not a 
parallel in the sword, the pestilence and intemperance united. It slays alike 
all classes of society, young and old, and fills the land with chronic and 
incurable misery. 

326. The modus operandi of remedies not discovered. A most deplorable 
defect in all medical " proceedings," is, that their authors have failed, in their 
own estimation, to learn the modus operandi of their remedies (20, 4, 60, 
62, 64, 68, 70, 74, 76, 76, 85 to 89). 



94 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

326 a. Thus blood-letting is pronounced "emphatically the remedy (53), 
and yet the same author, Morehead says (60), "alway serious, not unfre- 
quently fatal effects but too surely follow its misapplication;" then "no 
remedy remains for counteracting and removing the injuries which it has 
inflicted" — and, consequently, "it deserves to be viewed with somewhat 
of the abhorrence that attaches to the knife of the murderer ;" and yet 
Professor Thacher tells us "we have no infallible index to direct us" in the 
use of it. 

326 b. Opium is said to be " treacherous" (76) and "deceptive" (78), 
and about the modus operandi of mercury there is "an inscrutable mystery" 
(130 to 143). 

326 c. Mercury. " Of the modus operandi of mercury, we know nothing," 
&c. (93, 94, 95, 96). 

327. The modus operandi explained. Now with all due deference to the 
careful observation and far reaching powers of the constituted guardians of 
the public health, I must beg leave to express my honest conviction, that 
they do themselves and the sciences of chemistry and physiology great 
injustice here. I think they have learned most clearly the modus operandi 
of their medicines. They have shown that the direct tendency of blood- 
letting is to " take away not only an organ of life, but a portion of life itself" 
(56), for which "injury" no " remedy remains" (60). That it both kills 
by taking away "the blood thereof, which is the life thereof ;" and injures 
the constitutions of those that escape with life, by so weakening the force of 
life in the remnant of the circulation, that the balance, not able to overcome 
the chemical affinity resident in its elements, yields to that affinity and is so 
nearly overcome by it as to be unable to perform its duty fully, of keeping 
up a proper action, heat and distention of the superficial capillaries which 
have " contracted to adapt themselves to the measure of blood that remains" 
(67), till they become so firmly condensed that this " measure (venesection) 
is never able to restore the balance of free circulation ; and the patient finally, 
sometimes after many years, "gives up the ghost to the treatment instead of 
the disease" (67). 

I knew an excellent man, a physician of the Allopathic school, who "was 
treated in 1 822, with blood-letting, opium, &c, for phrenitis, or inflammation of 
the brain. The evil results of the blood-letting continued with him till 1844, 
22 years, when he left them in the grave ! Whenever his general health 
began to improve, the blood sought access to the superficial capillaries ; but 
they, being permanently contracted below the proper caliber, resisted it. Of 
course it was directed to the soft and relaxed mucous membrane of the 
bowels which, being paralyzed by opium and rotted by calomel, gave way to the 
pressure, and to dysentery and flux, and finally gangrene and death ! These 
were the results of the modus operandi of these three agents combined ! 

Mercury acts by decomposing chemically the tissue, as in rotting "the 
gums, the glands and the bones," and "demolishing the very pillars of 
health." It poisons to death the blood, and thus " prevents adhesive in- 
flammation ;" and when it can not kill outright, it so checks vital action as to 
"produce rheumatism" and "incurable paralysis." 

They have shown that opium is "contrary to nature," "a hurtful sub- 
stance" which produces, in infants, an ill-conditioned state of the nervous 
system that never, through all subsequent life, is entirely got rid of" (74) • 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 95 

but u irretrievably ruins" them, and that it does seven mischiefs where it does 
one good ; being too often as fatal to the body as sin to the soul (76). 

But perhaps some will say " this is what it does, but not the how it acts." 
Suppose the objection were true, must they, after they have learned that 
lancets, opium and mercury positively kill when they give enough of them, 
and that this enough is often but a very inconsiderable portion of what they 
often do give, and recommend. After all this, I ask, must they know how 
they kill before they cease to use them for that purpose ? If so, let them 
consult the articles on the subject in this work — blood-letting, opium, mer- 
cury, and they will learn how they act, as well as that they do act. 

It is easy to see that " ignorance of disease" must lead directly to " ignor- 
ance of a suitable remedy." While medical men count fever disease, they 
must seek for it " a suitable remedy" (6). As fever tends to life and health, 
the suitable remedies for it, must tend to disease and death. Hence "all 
their best remedies are" and must be " virulent poisons" (Hooper, Die.) is a 
logical deduction from their premises that fever is disease, and fever must 
be cured (323). Lancets and poisons are the only scientific Allopathic reme- 
dies ; all others are both empyrical and improper, in the hands of a believer 
in the fever-disease doctrine, no matter to what denomination of medical 
men he may belong. So long, then, as men regard the vital manifestations 
termed irritation, inflammation and fever, as disease, so long they will be 
" ignorant of a suitable remedy" for disease, or a means of removing the 
necessity for fever — that is, of obeying its commands — satisfying its moni- 
tions to remove the causes that excite it. A pure Allopathist can not use a 
single innocent stimulant in fever. 

Let them once adopt our definition of those vital manifestations, and treat 
them as we do in practice, and they will no longer be guilty of the absurdity 
of calling an agent a food, a poison or a medicine, merely because they find 
it under different circumstances, and consequently differently wrought upon. 
They will settle in their minds at once the principle, that food is whatever 
is adapted to supply the wastes of the organism ; that poisons are whatever 
possess an inherent tendency to paralyze or destroy a tissue, or impede its 
action, and that remedies are all those agents whose nature is to directly 
excite the organs to the due performance of their protective, their defensive 
or their health-preserving offices. 

They would test all these agents on the healthy state, and mark their char- 
acter in accordance with their direct tendencies. They would discover no 
" secondary action" to any "simple remedy." That which purely sustains 
the body, they would always call food. That which has a native tendency to 
paralyze or destroy tissue, they would always call a poison. And that which 
simply aids the vital force in the performance of exalted action, or in re- 
covering its disturbed equilibrium by promoting relaxation or lubrication, or 
by removing or neutralizing foreign and injurious irritants, and "leaves no 
sting behind," they would call " a medicine ;" and they would neither forget 
these conclusions, nor change their minds concerning them. The things 
they would strive to alter, would be the circumstances which give rise to 
what they now suppose to be the varied effects of those remedies, as primary 
or secondary, good or bad, as they are well or ill, timely, or untimely admin- 
istered. 

328. What the Faculty have done. The attentive reader will perceive 
that, notwithstanding the declarations of medical men that they have learned 



96 

and established nothing reliable in relation to inflammation or fever, they 
really have carefully observed and accurately described, all its essential charac- 
teristics, concomitants, modes of action and results ; also the consequences to 
the system when it fails to accomplish its objects. 

As its characteristics, they have given us irritation, contraction, accumulation 
of blood and heat in, and expansion and debility of, the arterial capillaries ; 
collapse or compression of the venous and other absorbents, and consequent 
cheek to absorption and secretion ; first excessive and then diminished flow 
of blood through a part, with sometimes redness and pain ; resolution, the 
effusion of coagulable lymph and finally granulation or healing. 

As concomitants, they have given the various constitutional or accidental 
manifestations of the results of its action, as the scrofulous, the tubercular, 
the bilious, the erysipelatous, the scarlet, the spotted, the yellow, the vario- 
lar, rubeolar, &c, <fec, and, as results to the system, when inflammation fails 
of its object, they have carefully described chemical lesion, in the shape of 
suppuration and gangrene. 

They have even regarded inflammation in its true light, as " a reaction of 
the vital power," for the defense of the system against the depredations 
of the causes of disease, "an act of the constitution," " a sanative effort," 
"not to be called disease," but as "a salutary effort of the constitution 
consequent upon some disease." They speak of it as essentially "a unit," 
and declare that its object is the protection of the system against injury 
threatened, and to mend up the wounds already inflicted (42-44) ; and this 
they affirm that it always actually does, unless prevented by the action or 
opposition of some superior extraneous cause. 

They pronounce it the only remedy with which a surgeon can ever heal a 
wound (Watson, p. 95), or a physician can ever cure a cold or any other 
malcondition of the system, as there is no restoration from prostration 
without the aid of that " reaction " which they call fever and inflammation. 

The foregoing quotations prove every one of these positions, to all which 
I am happy to say, I most cheerfully subscribe. 

328 a. What then is the error of the faculty? Why have they declared 
that they know not the nature of fever, and that inflammation is still a 
problem in medical science ? 

I answer, again and again, they have summed up all these characteristics, 
concomitants and results of fever or inflammation ; and the consequences to 
the system from chemical and mechanical causes when it fails of its object, 
and given to the mass a single name. When the inflammation prevails, they 
pronounce it defensive, sanative, good ; when it fails, and extraneous power 
prevails, they pronounce it "the great mother of human maladies and the 
grand outlet of life." When they guess that inflammation or fever will 
succeed, they encourage it ; when they fear it will not, they destroy- the 
power of the system to produce it, and then attribute to the fever the evil of 
their own doings ! How can men ever learn the true nature and use of any 
thing by constantly violating its nature in their experiments upon it ? 

328 b. In short, the Allopathic facidties have believed and taught all sorts 
of doctrines, true and false ; they have tried all sorts of practices, and used 
all sorts of agents, good and bad, and have come to the conclusion that they 
have established no principle on which they can rely (5) and found no 
remedy that is uniformly good in its action (20), and that their practice is 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 97 

no better now than it was fifty years ago (24). They have devised the use 
of the lancet, which, "for a hundred years, destroyed more lives than all that 
in the same period perished by war" (58); of mercury, which "powerfully 
depresses the energies of life," and "demolishes the very pillars of health 
(96); which enters the brain and the nerves (109), and sloughs off the 
gums and cheeks (113, 108, 107), destroying "the glands and the bones," 
and finally produces death under the most revolting circumstances " (115, 
1 42), and of opium, which slays seven where it saves one, and continually ruins 
"innumerable infants," that it does not slay outright (76). Thus they have 
"multiplied diseases and increased their mortality" (26). 

329 a. What the Faculty have not done. — They have not learned any 
method of determining whether a principle or doctrine is true or false (1, 
2, 5, 8); they have learned nothing certain of the nature of disease (6), nor 
of the nature of remedies (20); nor have they gathered any practical expe- 
rience from the past, that is worth a rush for the future (19, 20, 21); and, 
consequently, they have not done any thing in the way of medication that 
has, on the whole, detracted one iota from the great amount of human suf- 
fering (16, 17, 18). They are not so good practitioners as were Hippocrates 
and Galen. They are no more scientific (in the healing art) than was Para- 
celsus, nor so good Eclectics as was Boerhaave. They are not half so suc- 
cessful in practice as the ".herbalist," "root," "Indian" and "old woman" 
doctors, whom they affect so much to despise. In short, they have not, in 
" the healing art," come up within "four thousand years" of the spirit and 
improvements of the age in which they live ! If they dispute this, let the 
community challenge them to compare notes publicly with the " irregular 
practitioners" alluded to. 

329 b. What the faculty should do, and the consequences. They should sepa- 
rate the vital force and its effects from the mechanical and chemical forces 
and their effects; that is, separate irritation, fever and inflammation from 
obstruction, lesion, and mortification. They should seek to aid those and 
oppose these, and then they would soon learn to a demonstration what is 
irritation, fever, and inflammation, and what are its antagonists ; what is dis- 
ease, and what are suitable remedies. Then the doctrines of medicine would 
cease to be an "incoherent assemblage of incoherent ideas " (4), and would 
become as intelligible and "demonstrable as those of any other natural 
science" (Jackson), and its remedies, and their character and action, would 
no longer be " fraught with the highest degree of uncertainty" (20), but fixed 
on a basis that would "stand a tower of strength amidst the rude shock of 
opposition's bursting wave through all succeeding time" (Whiting). The 
lancet and poisons would be abandoned at once, and for ever, and the pro- 
cesses of cure would be conducted with means tending only to health, and 
the results of their practice would be as sure as their best ordered chemical 
experiments are now. They would cure disease whenever they had a good 
constitution to work on, suitable remedies for the case, and knowledge, skill 
and energy in the application; and would become indeed, what they have so 
long most unjustly claimed to be, "guardians of the public health," and the 
elements of "an honorable and benevolent profession" — men to whom the 
miserable sufferer, writhing in pain, might look with some good grounds of 
confidence for relief from his wretched condition ! — and last, but not to be 
wholly overlooked — then would " ignoramuses, quacks, nostrums, pills and 
powders" all be laid aside — rooters, herbalists, and "old women" would be 

7 



98 ALLOPATHY EXPOSED, 

rejected, and all the business, honor and profits of the healing art would be 
returned to the " legitimate" custody of those who would then well deserve 
to be styled, "the regular medical faculty!" Is not this "a consummation 
devoutly to be wished?" 

330. What I have done. In early life, with most others of that day, / 
supposed that the Allopathic system of medicine involved all the science, and 
the most judicious practice, of which the subject ivould admit; but, seeing in 
practice what appeared to be not only signal failures, but evidently destruc- 
tive effects, I determined to give the system a most thorough and extensive 
study, though with the full expectation that, on the whole, it would prove 
itself good, however individuals might, from ignorance or carelessness, 
nbuse it. 

But, taught by the "absurdities, contradictions and falsehoods (7) of 
"the doctrines of the schools" (6), and the "horrid, unwarrantable and 
murderous quackery" of the practitioners (142), I formed, thirty-five years 
ago, the resolution never to suffer it to be practiced upon me. For ten years I 
suffered much for the want of a true medical practice, till at last, in 1 832, 
through Doctor Samuel Thomson, my mind was brought to recognize the 
mother error of all medical mischief. I made at once the proper distinction 
between fever and its opponents, and entered the battle on the side of the 
former and against the latter. I have ever found this doctrine of the sana- 
tive nature and tendency of irritation and inflammation, a sure detector of all 
the errors of every system, both in theory and practice ; and a true test of all 
t'he agents of the materia medica. 

I now feel the same assurance in the truth of medical principles and the 
prospective results of remedial efforts, that I do in the principles of chemistry 
and the results of its experiments. In each case, where the proper conditions 
*xist, I am alike sure, by conducting the experiments on, to me, fixed and 
well known principles, to produce the desired results; — that is, if, in the 
treatment of disease, I have a constitution capable of recovering, and my 
well selected means at command, I am as sure of the cure as I am of the 
success of a well-directed chemical experiment. Indeed, I have actually 
failed far more frequently in the latter than in the former. See " i hysio 
Medical Practice." 

In 1 832, I entered the medical service, as aid-de-camp to General Fever. 
With his implements of warfare, in the shape of innocent relaxants, stimu- 
lants, astringents, emollients, tonics, anti-septics, &c, &c, propelled by the 
vital force, by electricity, by caloric, &c, I am happy to say that we have 
almost always been able, in the light of his glorious torches, to see clearly 
the opposing combatants, and their positions and relations, and to aim a sure 
and deadly shot at our enemies, without injuring our friends. 

Our Allopathic friends (for, as men of talents, amiability and general 
scholarship, we esteem many of them most highly) appear to us like the 
Hessians of the English army of our Revolution, "surrounded by the fogs" 
of mental blindness, shooting at random their deadly "blue" metal (27), 
thrusting forth their pointed steel blades (60), and paralyzing with their 
narcotic arrows (76) as many of their friends as of their enemies (patients 
as well as diseases). From our soul we pity them ; but can scarcely forgi ve 
them; for, if they would study our science as carefully, honestly, and thor- 
oughly as we do their "incoherent assemblage of incoherent ideas"(4), their 
"absurdity, contradiction, and falsehood" (7), and their "horrid, 



CRITCISED AXD CORRECTED. 99 

unwarranatble, murderous quackery" (142), they would "know what they 
do," and " what they ought to do." They would " cease to do evil and 
learn to do well," and become a blessing instead of a curse to suffering 
humanity. 

331. Before leaving the subject of Allopathy, it is but just to its advo- 
cates, to say that many of them — very many, in all ages, have not only dis- 
covered its defects, errors and injurious tendencies and results, but have set 
themselves most diligently and praiseworthily to work to reform the system, 
to supply its defects and correct its errors and abuses. A place for all the 
names of these would require a large volume. 

Of those who have remained among the faculty, we may name Hippocrates, 
Galen, Celsus, Boerhaave, Lieutaud, Broussais, Louis, Alibert, Bichat, 
Andral, Velpeau, Cullen, Brown, Graham, Abercrombie, Hunter, Good, 
Bell, Blundell, Clarke, Elliotson, Hall, and hosts of others in Europe; 
Thacher, Waterhouse, Mitchell, Hosack, Paine, Carnochan, Gallup, Tully, 
Rush, Jackson, Eberle, Caldwell, Drake, and hundreds of others in 
America, who have striven to reform medicine more or less extensively. 

Of those who have endeavored to revolutionize or wholly supplant it, we 
may name, as the one who did it the greatest injury, the famous Paracelsus, 
the true Father of Allopathy as it now is. Of those who have rejected this 
system in part, are Brown, Hahnemann, Graham, Lieutaud, Broussais, Louis, 
and Dixon, who adopted new plans and published new systems of medicine 
differing more or less widely from Allopathy. All these have professed to 
be, to some extent Eclectic, gathering from every source what they believed 
to be the best. A writer in a late medical journal of Philadelphia says that 
two-thirds of the profession in America have shaken off the trammels of 
authority, and "become essentially Eclectic" (Am. Jour, of the Med. Sci- 
ences). Donaldson (16), Bichat (4), Forbes (18), Hahnemann, Lieutaud, 
Louis (11), Waterhouse (13), and very many other medical men of the first 
eminence, have rejected the whole system as nothing, whether a substitute 
be found or not (18). Such was my course before I decided that any other 
system was any better. Allopathy is itself the strongest evidence of its own 
demerits and of the justice of its condemnation. Out of its own mouth it is 
justly judged, and it is its own severest executioner. 



MEDICAL REFORM 



332. Most nearly allied to Allopathy, (E. M. J., Vol. 1, pp. 178 to 83), 
is a practice whose advocates declare that they are "trammeled by no dog- 
ma" (principle), nor " precedent" (example) ; that they select from all other 
systems what they please, adding "the astounding discoveries" made by 
themselves ; that they are bound by no authority and responsible to none for 
their faith or their acts. (See 397, 418, 421, also circulars and addresses 
" to the public," of the Cincinnati E. M. Institute). 

They claim that this practice commenced with Dr. Wooster Beach of Few 
York, and progressed through Drs. T. V. Morrow, I. G. Jones, A. H. Bal- 
dridge, L. E. Jones, J. H. Oliver, H. Cox, B. L. Hill, H. P. Gatchell, John 
King, G. W. Bickley, R. S. Newton and other minor lights, for the last eight 
years under the special tutelage of the superior "literacy," " science" and 
" respectability," of J. R. Buchanan, Professor of the Institutes of Medicine 
in the E. M. Institute of Cincinnati — the "leading school" of that practice, 
and he the leading writer fos that school ! (397). 

332 a. Having selected, from various practices, the remedies which his 
observation and experience had induced him to believe were the most effi- 
cient, and the least objectionable in the treatment of disease, Dr. Beach 
commenced in the city of New York about the year 1829, (W. M. Ref., vol. 
1 p. 5), the instruction of young men in the curative art, according to his 
practice, as exhibited in his office and infirmary, and generally in that city. 

In the course of time, the doctor gathered materials from his own expe- 
rience and that of others, in quantity sufficient to make a book, which first 
appeared in 1831, entitled "Beach's American Practice," in 3 vol. 8vo — 
W. M. Ref., vol. 1, p. 42, and vol 5, p. 119. 

This work, making great pretensions to scientific and practical reform, in 
the latter particular not without some good degree of merit, was pretty exten- 
sively distributed among reformers of every class, and among many of the 
old school who, sick of the arrogance, quackery and mischiefs of Allopathy, 
were disposed to look into any thing that promised better for the profession. 
The work was afterwards abridged and published with the title of " Beach's 
Family Physician." 

From this work we gather the following, as the principles that constituted 
his system of reform, and governed his practice in it. 

333. In his seventh edition (Intro, p. xi), Dr. Beach says : " The Be- 
formed' or American Practice, combines every thing useful of every other 
system, and maintains that the physician is to act as the servant of nature." 

I like much this declaration ; but, on reviewing his 'practice, I find that 
he rejects the best portions of some practices, and selects some of the worst 
(100) 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 101 

of others. For example, he rejects the transcendency "useful" course of 
medicine which constitutes the greatest excellence of the Thomsonian Prac- 
tice, and selects the most deadly narcotic poisons of Allopathy. I like the 
principle of " aiding nature," but am sorry to see that it is often to be main- 
tained by blistering and poisoning, as I proceed to show. 

334. On page 201, he says, " The wide, the radical, the irreconcilable 
difference," between his system and Allopathy, " consists in the various 
means made use of to fulfill the indications of cure," which we find to be 
44 cupping," "leeching," "blistering," <fcc, and on page 710, he says that 
mercury in an ointment "for sore eyes and eruptions generally, is superior to 
all others." It is also to be applied to other parts, " swelled and inflamed," 
in an elm poultice (p. 549). Will mercury be absorbed in such cases 
(115, 101), and if so, is it not given "internally"? 

Has it not often salivated when applied to the head to destroy vermin, and 
to ulcers to cause them to heal? (81, 92, 102, 109, 111). 

It is true that there is a wide difference between recommending mercury 
for "almost every disease" (83) and recommending it but very seldom, 
as Dr. Beach does (710, 549); but it is not " irreconcilable," for the prin- 
ciple is the same, whether little or much is used, and Dr. B.'s recommen- 
dation of some (p. 710, 549) has been and is, and may properly be, by his 
followers, taken as authority for using as much as they may think proper. 

Many allopathists have discarded it in toto, but that has not reformed 
Allopathy. 

The same is true of blood-letting (55 to 70). 

Lastly, the old school use narcotics freely, but not more freely, nor recom- 
mend them more highly, than does Dr. B., (see pages 440 and 441), where 
" ten grains were prescribed every hour, till forty grains were given. "* Even 
the quantity here, as well as the means (the article) is scarcely "irrecon- 
cilable" with Allopathy. Opium is recommended as successful " when all 
other means fail" (p. 427). Is it not the magnum Dei Donum, of Beachism 
as well as Allopathy? " Irreconcilable" — " radical difference," indeed ! 

But then there is the Spanish fly (711) recommended — also cicuta and 
deadly nightshade (p.710); croton oil (715, 440 and 441); digitalis (366, 
370); hyosciamus (344); tobacco (706); niter (724); white vitrol for eye 
water (702); red lead (721), and mercury (710), in salves ; corrosive subli- 
mate in yellow wash (730). What an "irreconcilable difference" there 
must be between the use of all these and other deadly poisons by the faculty, 
and by Dr. Beach, when he recommends them as freely and in as large doses 
as they do! 

335. Health. " When all the functions of the system are duly performed, 
a person may be said to be in health " (p. 206). 

It is very true that a person is then in pretty good health, generally, but 
not always. A very sick person may take lobelia, warm teas and a vapor 
bath, after which, often for hours "all the functions will be duly per- 
formed:" but, when the medication is spent, the functions will cease to be 
duly performed. These functions also may cease to be duly performed, and 
a person continue in health, not perceptibly impaired. Are all the functions 
duly performed in the chest and abdomen of the laced lady? or in the foot- 
joints of the tight-booted gentleman ? or the stomachs of those who have 
eaten nothing for six hours ? — yet are they all sick ? Health is not the due 



102 MEDICAL REFORM BEACII 

performance of the functions, for this is interrupted at every motion; but it 
is the capability of those organs to perform their healthy functions, that consti- 
tutes health. They may or may not be active. The nerves of the brain and 
the muscles of locomotion are inactive during sleep; but they are in health, 
because they are capable of action. 

336. Disease. Says Dr. Beach: "Any alteration from this state, or 
when any part ceases to perform its office or function, disease is the conse- 
quence (a). It is a salutury effort of nature to repair an injury to the system, 
or re-establish health (b). What is termed disease, appears, in reality, to be 
nothing more than an inherent principle in the system to restore healthy action, 
or to resist offending causes (c). Pain or disease (d) is like fever, a healthy 
or conservative power of nature to expel noxious agents, or restore health" (e). 
"Is it irrational or unphilosophical to consider disease a unit? (/) all its 
innumerable forms or symptoms being derived from one cause, acting upon 
different organs or tissues of the body?" (g) page 206. 

336. Remarks, a. I have just shown the incorrectness of this position. 
Disease must be the opposite of health; of course it is the inability of an organ 
or tissue to perform duly its function. 

336 b. How can this effort be made, when the organs cease to perform 
duly their functions ? Is it not one of the proper functions of the organs to 
repel or remove disease, or its cause ? 

336 c. Then it seems that the vital force is disease, for this is the "inher- 
ent principle" of all vitality, or living motion. 

336 d. Pain is the notice that the nerves give to the consciousness that 
there is, somewhere, an impediment to their healthy action. 

336 e. How can a sympto?n of suffering be a power to relieve it? Fever is not 
a power of nature, but an effect of the action of that power (the vital force). 

336/. Yes, if deficient functional actions, fever and pain, are disease, and 
especially, if it is both an effort of nature to remove a thing, and the thing 
to be removed, it is very unphilosophical to consider it a unit. 

336 g. So, then, all disease is constituted of the different symptoms or 
effects produced by disease, in its efforts to remove disease !! or those efforts 
themselves ! (g). Is not all this "clear as mud ?" 

On page 268, he rightly says : "Fever is a remedy, not a disease, and 
ought to be promoted as a friend to destroy an enemy, when itself will dis- 
appear. It is nature's restorative," (very good). 

Thus we see, the Dr., that he may be true to his plan of "selecting from 
all systems," takes from the old school the fever disease doctrine (b, c, d, e), 
and from Dr. Samuel Thomson the true doctrine, that "fever is a friend, and 
not an enemy." He that takes all sides of a question, must, sometimes, be 
right; but he has not, above, settled for us the question which of his, "use- 
ful from every other system," is the true and good. 

337. Dr. Beach's statements of facts and his Practice, are as contradictory 
as his principles. On page IX of the introduction, he quotes from W. M. R., 
that "his system originated before Dr. Thomson was known," and "was 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 103 

improved and developed without the least reference to his (Dr. T.'s) system. 
Yet Dr. B's book contains not only the above doctrine from Dr. T., but 
copies the treatment of congestive fever (234) from Dr. J. II. Canon, and of 
milk sickness (426) from Dr. Levi Houston, both Thomsonians ! and he took 
their reports from the Thomsonian Recorder/ (See Bee. vol 9, p. 309J. 

On page 195 he says: "Non-professional readers may imagine that in- 
formation in regard to depletion and sweating, is annually taught in our 
medical schools. Such is not the fact." Yet on page 58, he had said: "the 
vapor or steam bath may be applied with advantage in every case which is 
attended with a torpid state of the vessels of the surface and extremities of 
the body." 

This is true, and he took it from the Dr. Samuel Thomson of whom he 
professed to know nothing. He also recommends such a bath for every 
family; and on page 60, commends it in language so nearly like what may 
be found in our lecture in Baltimore, published in the Medical Discussions, 
as to leave no doubt of the source whence he obtained it. (See also p. 555.) 

On page 554 Dr. B. complains of the malpractice of giving brandy ami 
opium in a case of irritation of the eyes. But he gave stramonium and opium 
to cure it. What an " irreconcilable difference!" 

On page 556, he recommends Dupuytren's powder for " specs on the 
cornea," viz : " oxide of zinc, calomel and loaf sugar." On the same page 
he condemns the use of mercury in the case; and on 547, he says "mercury 
is frequently itself a source of cutaneous diseases, soar throats, and symptoms 
which, without its baneful influence, would never have occurred." 

Dr. Beach devotes a large portion of his work to denunciations of the 
course of Allopathists, and the means they use; but, when he presents his 
practice, he uses the same course, except blood-letting, and so many surgical 
operations, (though, like theirs, his rule is to operate where he can not cure 
without), and he uses the same " means" thai they use, except, perhaps, anti- 
mony and arsenic, and mercury very sparingly. He rails against poisons when 
used by Allopathists, but recommends them himself as superior to all others 

S710). Thus, his "anodyne" pills and powders, composed largely of opium 
721, 719), " afford relief when all other means prove unavailing." His 
healing salve, with red lead (721), and his brown ointment, with mer- 
cury (710), are il superior to all others." No caution seems necessary, even 
when the deadly poison is recommended alone, and in large doses (441 ). The 
old school tell us that four grains of opium is a deadly dose; but Dr. Beach, 
who is death on poisons, can recommend ( 'three grains every hour, or six if 
necessary" (715), and even ten grains at a dose (441). 

" Tobacco is a virulent poison " on page 68, but he can recommend it as 
an injection for incarcerated hernia (706), though the lobelia he selected from 
Dr. Thomson is far better (570, 307). 

On page IX. Intro., he is out upon Dr. Thomson's course of Medicine; bui 
on page 636, he gives a miserable mutilation and dilution of the same course, 
as his own. 

On page IX. of the F. P., the Doctor says: " Dr. Thomson's principal treat- 
ment is all good, if properly used ;" but abuses Thomson as too " illiterate," 
" conceited," &c, to use it properly. Yet, on page 558, he reports a cure, 
by himself, on Dr. T.'s plan, and says, the cayenne pepper " operated like a 
charm," " but of the manner in which this article acts, affording relief in such 
cases, is not easy to determine." Very " literary and scientific" is it not? 
and " properly understood." 



104 MEDICAL REFORM MORROW 

Query : Who is the most likely to use it " properly," the man who devised 
it, and suitable ways and means to use it, and, from forty years' experience, 
pointed out the cases in which its use is indicated, and gave all the necessary 
directions and cautions; or he who seldom Uses it, and objects to its use, 
merely because he was not the first to reccmmend it? 

338. Dr. Beach and his System. Dr. Beach is a man of very ordinary 
talent, and very little literary or scientific attainment. The most of his works 
have been " selected," or written by others at his suggestion, as any one may 
be assured by comparing their different parts with each other, and the most 
of them with his miserable letters and advertisements. 

He was, however, devoted to the practice of medicine, for which the mod- 
erate talents he had seemed the best adapted. He made no scruple to appro- 
priate the ideas of others, or even their language, to himself and his use, 
without giving any credit for them, or even a quotation. But he was ambi- 
tious and active, and hence he practiced much, from which he acquired some 
skill and much useful knowledge. I have shown that he lacked that discrim- 
ination which is indispensable to the separation of truth from error, and that 
memory and judgment which were necessary to his consistency. That, for 
want of correct principles, he was often guilty of glaring inconsistencies and 
absurdities. Yet he is as honest in his intentions as most men, and did muck 
for the cause of reform. 

As it was for a long time the only Eclectic work in the market, his Family 
Practice has been extensively circulated, and, were it stripped of the errors 
and contradictions in principle which I have pointed out, and purified of the 
follies and poisons recommended in practice, it would be a very good book; 
better far than any that has since appeared from that class of reformers. 

Though I have not given all the latest works a thorough perusal, yet I 
know, from other sources, and from reading some parts of them, that the 
sentiments of their authors are more erroneous than his are. Their books 
maybe more "literary and scientific," but their practice is little if any 
better, in any case, and in many cases not so good. But, as this system of 
41 science is progressive," we will next trace it through Dr. B.'s most distin- 
guished pupil, Dr. Morrow. 

339. Dr. Morrow. Among the early pupils of Dr. Beach in New York, 
was Dr. Thomas Vaughan Morrow, a native of Kentucky. That Dr. Mor- 
row highly appreciated the instructions of Dr. Beach, and very closely ad- 
hered to them to nearly the termination of his life, is evident from the fol- 
lowing declaration quoted from his address to a Cincinnati audience, on the 
introduction of Dr. Beach to them, in December, 1845. See W. M. R., vol. 
4, pp. 118, 119. Dr. Morrow said: 

" Nearly twenty years ago, I had the satisfaction of attending two full 
courses of lectures on each of the departments of Medical Science, delivered 
by my present friend," <fec, " from which I unhesitatingly acknowledge, I 
derived more substantial benefit and real advantage, in the treatment of dis- 
ease, than from any and all other sources." 

340.. Worthington College. In 1830 (W. M. R., v. 1, p. 97), the Trus- 
tees of a dormant literary institution in Worthington, 0., established a Med- 
ical Department, and appointed Dr. Steele President. But, soon after, Dr. 
Morrow succeeded him, and he and others commenced lecturing, under the 
title of Professors of the Reformed Medical College of Ohio, to which 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 105 

resorted, for several years, a considerable number of students. Some of these 
were o-raduated, and sent out as members of "the Reformed Medical Society 
of the United States," established in New York in 1829 (ib., pp. 5 and 63). 
From the year 1 836, when the college had four professors, the number of 
students gradually declined, till the spring of 1841, when only about a dozen 
were present. Circumstances having caused the abandonment of the col- 
lege, Dr. Morrow proposed to unite with the Botanico-Medical College in 
Cincinnati. But, as he refused to give up his liberty to use lancets, leeches, 
cups, blisters, opium, <fcc, we could not harmonize. 

341. In 1842-3, he commenced, in Cincinnati, efforts to establish another 
College, and, in 1846, by the aid of others, obtained the charter of the 
''Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati," (W. M. R., v. 5, p. 118; or, E. 
M. J., vol. 1), of which he was the main support, and the most generally and 
perhaps deservedly approved exponent, to the day of his death, in 1850. 

342. Other Eclectic Colleges have since been established in different parts 
of the United States, but they were mostly conducted by men who had been 
in some way connected with this, or who at least acknowledged this as the 
best authority of that practice, though they have had a few able men in their 
Faculties. Not more than two or three of them being now in existence, and 
they being secondary to this in reputation, / shall select my authority on 
Eclecticism from the Professors of '* The Eclectic Medical Institute of Cin- 
cinnati." 

343. Non-committalism. And now, as I have a difficult task to perform, 
viz : to present the principles and practices of a class of medical men, who 
reject all systems of principles, and individually select what remedies they 
choose, and practice as they please, acknowledging no authority and holding- 
no man responsible, but constantly progressing from one principle and prac- 
tice to another (E. M. J., 1845, pp. 359-63, and their circular for 1855-6). 

344. I will just say, at once, that / shall fnost faithfully select from 
these published sayings and doings, that which I think will present them to the 
reader in the truest light; and, if they complain that I do them injustice, I 
shall cast back on them the blame of it, for withholding from me and the rest 
of mankind the means to enable us to represent them fairly. I wish it dis- 
tinctly understood, that I have no prejudice against the name Eclecticism, nor 
the men Eclectics. My judgment is founded upon what I know to be their true 
character and merits. 

345. Dr. Morrow's Medical Reform. For this I refer, first, to his pub- 
lished declarations, the first of which that I know of, are found in "the 
Western Medical Reformer," a monthly journal commenced by him in Worth - 
ington, 0., January, 1836. Page 3d, the Doctor says, he has "become thor- 
oughly convinced of the fact that mercury, antimony and arsenic ought to be 
totally discarded from the Materia Medica," ^[2. " That the remedial agents 
we employ are chief y derived from the vegetable kingdom," ^[ 6. 

346. Page 5. That "Scientific Medical Reform is not identical, nor inti- 
mately connected with, nor fundamentally depending upon, the Thomsonian 
or steam system," ^[ 4 and p. 100. " We believe that a physician ought to 



106 MEDICAL REFORM MORROW 

be intimately acquainted with everything belonging to his profession — that 
he ought to be a scientific man," *[[ 6. (Ah ?) Who does not believe this? 
How characteristic of a sect! 

347. Russelville Lecture. The next article, from which we have a right 
to derive positive information, is "A lecture delivered by Dr. T. V. Morrow, 
in the Court House at Russelville, Ky., on the 20th July, 1835, on the sub- 
ject of Reform in Medicine," page 65, W. M. Ref. 

348. In this, he says of his Reform, "It is due to the dignity and impor- 
tance of the enterprise, to the public," &c, " that at least a brief outline of 
its fundamental principles, and some of the main points of difference [from 
Allopathy] should be distinctly and clearly set forth," p. 55. " A full, fair 
and candid avowal of the principles by which we are governed, and the motives 
which actuate us * * * * will, as a matter of consequence, be demanded.* 1 
«[" 2, 3. 

349. He premises, and gives ample evidence to prove, that " there is an 
imperious necessity for a reformation, based on scientific and enlightened 
principles, more especially so far as remedial agents are concerned," p. 67. 

After deploring the degraded condition of medical science and practice, 
he asks, "What is the remedy for the various morbid actions of medical sci- 
ence?" and answers, "Scientific Medical Reform" (p. 81, ^f 1, 2), viz: 

350. " To dismiss from the catalogue of remedial agents all those which, 
under the ordinary circumstances of their administration, are liable to injure 
the stamina of the constitution * * and to substitute in their places arti- 
cles derived from the vegetable kingdom, which are not only as powerful in 
their operation, but infinitely safer and more salutary in their immediate and 
ultimate effects on the human system." P. 82, ^[ 2. 

"It is further proposed to dispense, in a great measure, if not entirely, 
with general blood-letting, ' * * and to substitute a system of evacuating 
through nature's grand outlets." ^[ 6. 

" It proposes, also, a reformation in surgical practice, the leading measure 
of which is to supersede the necessity of performing so many surgical opera- 
tions; and lastly, to heal all diseases in a manner more safe and successful, 
so that the constitution shall escape unimpaired by the means employed." 
P. 83, T 2. 

351. The great rule of Scientific Medical Reform. "I now ask in all 
candor and honesty, is there, under any circumstances and at any stage of the 
treatment of any disease to which the human body is subject, any necessity 
to make use of means which have a tendency to injure, either immediately 
or ultimately, the permanent health of any individual who may submit to a 
course of treatment while laboring under the influence of disease of any 
description?" 

"Searching and comprehensive as this question is, I, for one, am com- 
pelled, by the irresistible force of the evidences derived from a very exten- 
sive experience, to answer this question in the negative." P. 83, •[[ 5, 6. 

To the above, though indefinite, we said, most cordially, " Amen !'' But, 
when we looked at the practice, we exclaimed, alas for consistency ! 

352. In accounting for the superior success of the Reformed over the Allo- 
pathic practice, he says, p. 84, ^[ 3 (see also p. 102 and 103): " The only 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 107 

difference being in the nature of the means used, and the manner of using 
them, as well as in the difference of principle involved in their use." (See 
also vol. 3, p. 43, and Dr. Beach just noticed). 

353. Though the above differed in nothing essential from the reforms pro- 
posed by John Jacob Hansel, Boerhaave, Salmon, &c, of past centuries, and 
hundreds of Allopathic practitioners of the present day, / was pleased with 
even these, and sought, in 1835, further information respecting the doctrines 
of this school, that I might add my mite to its prosperity and usefulness. 

In an Extra to the Ohio State Journal, published November 19th, 1833, 
which fell into my hands about October, 1835, (T. Rec, vol. 4, p. 28), I 
hoped to find at least a synopsis of the positive and fixed principles of "Sana- 
tive medical reform." But here again I was told, first, that 

" There is not, there never was, and there never can exist, any connection 
between * * the Reformed System of Medical Practice and those of 
Thomson and Howard" though "it is very true that most of the articles, if 
not all, used by Thomson and Howard, as medicines, are also used by us !" 
(W. M. R., p. 100). 

4. "We believe the present deplorable state of the science is, in a great 
measure, owing to the nature of the means employed in the treatment of dis- 
ease." (P. 101, «f 2 and 102, 103). 

"Another objection, in my mind, to the present practice of medicine, is 
that it inculcates the too frequent use of the knife and the lancet. I would 
not, however, be understood as insisting on their universal proscription under 
all possible circumstances and modifications of disease and accident, for I 
have no doubt they are occasionally necessary, and in some cases indispen- 
sable, in the present state of medical science. It is against their very fre- 
quent and almost indiscriminate use, so much advised by many of the 
authorities of the present day, that I desire to enter my protest." (P. 103, 
^[2). "It is more particularly against the frequent use of the lancet in the 
treatment of fevers and diseases of an inflammatory character that I should 
wish to bear my decided testimony." * * " There cannot exist a doubt 
that in nineteen cases in twenty in which we are directed to call to our aid the 
lancet, in the reduction of febrile or inflammatory excitement, this desirable 
object may be accomplished without the adoption of that measure, which so 
invariably injures the stamina of the constitution." (P. 103, ^f 3). 

354. Blood-letting, principle of. So it seems that, in one case in twenty, 
Prof. Morrow was then willing to concede the ' necessity of "injuring the 
stamina of the constitution" by a pernicious .practice. I think that few 
Allopathists would agree to more than this. He says, as do most Allo- 
path ists: 

" It would seem to me more in consonance with nature's method of reliev- 
ing herself, to evacuate the system of its morbid contents by the use of 
emetics, cathartics, sudorifcs, diuretics, <&c." (P. 104, *f[ 1). 

355. Mercury. He also, in said circular, question 7th, as elsewhere, (p. 
114), objects to the "internal use of calomel or other form of mercury, or 
any preparation of arsenic or antimony." Does he mean to sanction the 
external use? If not, why use the word "internal?" 

Again, I should, from the above negatives, have supposed that Dr. 
Morrow's practice was at least innocent, but for the frequent occurrence in 
his prescriptions of such of the following from the W. M. Ref., vol. 3, p. 26. 



108 MEDICAL REFORM MORROW 

356. "A Remedy. Capsicum 5 grs., Ipecac 1 gr., Opium half gr., all 
powdered and mixed. Experience has satisfied us that this powder is one 
of the best internal remedies in passive hemorrhages of every description 
furnished by the materia medica. In active hemorrhage we never think of 
any other internal remedy if this be in our pocket, and we feel almost as 
certain of its having the effect desired, as though it were an absolute specific. 
It may be repeated every twenty minutes, half-hour, hour, or two or three 
hours, according to the urgencies of the case. If repeated often the quan- 
tity of opium should be diminished." 

Did Dr. M. suppose that opium " has no tendency to injure, either imme- 
diately or ultimately, the permanent health of an individual?" (76, 79.) 

357. Scarifying and Cupping. " The treatment of this case was com- 
menced by applying the scarificator and cups, both above and below the 
knee joint, as often as once in two days, and sometimes oftener," <fcc. W. 
M. R., vol. 3, p. 59, where he gives other cases similar. 

Again, W. M. Ref., vol. 3, p. 41, I find this same Dr. Morrow "Deter- 
mined to try the effects of a large blister plaster; accordingly, one sufficiently 
large to cover one- half of the chest from the spine to the sternum, and from 
the clavicle to the lumbar region, was prepared; and the right lung being most 
affected, this plaster was applied over it." "Small abscesses over the whole 
extent of this surface," appeared and "proceeded regularly to suppuration, 
and when opened, discharged large quantities of purulent matter." 

Wonder if this "did not tend immediately nor ultimately to injure the 
permanent health of the individual?" &c. I once saw a Mr. Poore, on 
whom he had placed a blister from side to side and from sternum to pubis, and 
then told him to settle his affairs for he must die ! The whole surface was 
not only denuded but deeply corroded, some of the very muscle having sup- 
purated away! Was no " injuiy" done here? I cured him with "the 
steam practice," which he, Dr. M., said "must fail in such cases." 

358. Dr. Morrow's Practice. I have shown that Dr. Morrow admitted 
that one lancet might be proper in twenty cases of general fever, and eight 
might be in every case of " incipient white swelling." As he recommended and 
used opium and cantharides, capsicum and lobelia, <£c, and as in pathology 
he agreed with the old faculty (353), Dr. M. must have been "all sorts of a 
doctor;" the Only difference between him and others, being his superior liberty 
to bleed, blister and poison, or to "steam, pepper, and lobeliaize" when he 
pleased; and in a superior wisdom, peculiar to himself, by which he could 
determine in each case, whether to act the Allopathist or the Steam Doctor, 
or to give a dose of that peculiar and all-potent compound, " Scientific Med- 
ical Reform." W. M. R., vol. 1, p. 81, ^ 2. 

359. Principles. "As the practice taught and recommended in the 
Worthington school, differs from that taught in other medical schools in the 
United States, chiefly in the means made use of in the removal of disease, 
rather than in any new pathoL gical views, the term Reformed Practice has 
been very appropriately applied to it." " The tendency of the Thomsonian 
system is a total subversion of all medical science," &c, [rather systems]. 
" The title of Medical Revolutionists, assumed by some of the most prominent 
individuals of that fraternity, t* very appropriate * * to the advocates 
of the steam and pepper system. For such individuals to be styled Medical 
Reformers, is slanderous, and calculated grossly to deceive the public mind.* 
W. M. R., vol. 3, p. 43. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 109 

360. Non-committalism. In 1845, some one made of Dr. Morrow the 
following inquiries. In what does your reform consist? What objects do 
you propose to accomplish? What changes do you desire to see effected in 
the condition of the healing art? 

361. Dr. Morrow answers (W. M. R., vol. 3, p. 22); also vol. 7, p. 296. 
"In the first place we wish it very distinctly understood that the scientific 
medical reformers of this, as well as of every other country, advocate a reform 
and not a revolution in the existing state of what is called medical science." 
(a) (page 23). 

"In the proscribed portions [of the Practice], may be included all those 
means and measures which, * in the treatment of disease, are liable to produce 
injurious effects on the constitution of patients, both immediate and remote," 
<fcc. b. * "We desire to effect such changes in the * healing art, that one 
half or one third of the present number of physicians * will be altogether 
sufficient to attend to all the medical practice of the country, and above 
all, we most ardently desire to see the healing art practiced in such a manner 
as will render it no longer obnoxious to the shameful, but just charge of 
being instrumental in hurrying any of our fellow citizens to a premature 
grave, or in any manner inflicting the slightest injury on their constitutions, 
or their future health." 

361 a. Here it is distinctly admitted that the main doctrines of Allopathy 
are correct. These I have shown to be "the doctrines of fever and inflam- 
mation" (30). Of course Dr. Morrow's Reform was not radical and perma- 
nent. 

361 b. What objection could the most ardent advocate of sanative medi- 
cation make to this ? Is it not most scientifically definite, and clear as 
crystal ? 

We certainly did not charge it with mischief till we saw in the practice of 
that same " distinguished teacher," and just about that time, a patient that 
had had a diarrhea, whose whole abdomen from pubis to sternum, and from 
right to left side, as far as the bed would permit, not only denuded, but 
corroded almost to the peritoneum, by a blister from the hand of Dr. Mor- 
row ! and a vial of laudanum on the mantel-piece to ease the pain! We had 
never seen but one Allopathic blister that could at all compare with it for 
length, breadth or depth. 

362. Union College. In the spring of 1841, after the disbanding of the 
Worthington College, Dr. Morrow made propositions to the faculty of the 
B. M. College, to unite with us in establishing a Union College in Cincinnati. 
With this we expressed our willingness, provided he would adhere strictly, 
in teaching and practice, to the doctrine of his Russelville lecture (347), as 
we understood it to exclude lancets, scarificators, leeches, blisters, animal 
and mineral poisons, and all narcotics, <fcc, sign our platform (B. M. Re- 
corder vol. 9, p. 346), and go with us in good faith. We were willing to 
forget all personal matters for the sake of union in doing good. He "con- 
curred so far as he could then determine" (p. 351). He lectured to our 
students in 1841-2, on anatomy and surgery; but, not being pleased with his 
course, we obtained, in the fall, Dr. Hill in his stead, and he commenced 
again, what he and his successors afterwards called "a one-horse concern," 
on his own strength and responsibility. 



110 MEDICAL REFORM MORROW 

363. In June, 1844, he resumed the publication of the Reformer; pro- 
fessing to " discuss freely and fearlessly, and expose without stint, the errors, 
abuses and defects of the prevailing systems, and, to commend whatever is 
true and of substantial value in each and all of them,*' <fcc, vol. 4, p. 2 — 
"All right," but 

364. On page 21 of this volume, we find him reporting his Allopathic 
application of "the scarificator and cups to the shaved scalp of a young lady 
thoroughly once or twice, and immediately thereafter applying the irritating- 
plaster, and renewing it each day, with a view of exciting as speedily as 
possible, a free and copious discharge of purulent matter, which should be 
continued as long as the pains [neuralgia fascia,] manifest any tendency to 
return;" which they ceased to do, "altera course of the treatment which 
continued from six to eight weeks;" and he says he pursued " a similar course 
in several other cases, which resulted in a like success!" 

All this I suppose was in strict accordance with the doctrine of the Russelville 
Lecture (351). Can it be possible that a suppurating ulcer over the whole 
head or face, can be produced and sustained for "six or eight weeks," with- 
out injuring either immediately or ultimately the permanent health of any 
individual who may submit to it? (351). These surely can not be classed 
among the " average cases of which not more than one or two in ten would 
ever require more than one or two visits at most," certainly not of those who 
"would not require to be visited at all," (W. M. R., vol. v., p. 140, ^[ 3). 

365. Principles and practice. In his College circular, Dr. Morrow says : 
" the course of instruction in each of the departments, will be full and com- 
plete, embracing every thing of any value, known and taught in the old 
regular medical colleges; as well as in all the Reformed or Botanical Schools 
of medicine," W. M. R., vol. 5, p. 65. 

To this end, he recommends as text books the regular Allopathic works, 
including, Beach and Eberle on Theory and Practice of Medicine; Meigs on 
Midwifery; Beach, Eberle and U. S. Dispensary on Meteria Medica, as well 
as other standard works. 

366. "Dr. Morrow disapproved of the use of chloroform, because he was 
opposed to the use of any article, which, under its ordinary use, was liable to 
produce any bad effects," E. M. J., 1850, p. 292. 

This is every where set forth as one of "the great principles of the Eclectic 
School" (390) and we certainly admire it "in the abstract." But when they 
tell us that they have not discarded the " cupping, leeching, and blistering," 
(E. M. J., 1849, p. 18), that opium, digitalis, belladonna, prussiate of iron, 
acitate of lead, &c, are among their best remedies, we respectfully suggest 
that their conduct does not harmonize with their professions. 

367. Blood-letting. Dr. Morrow objects to the too frequent use of the 
lancet (350), and his colleague, Dr. Cox, quotes from Dr. Lawson "the 
remarkable fact that out of 792 cases treated in the London fever hospital, 
during the last year, general blood-letting was not employed in a single 
instance, and local bleeding (to which Dr. Morrow does not object) was 
seldom resorted to," W. M. R., vol. 5, p. 69. 

The old school of London then, were much further advanced in the reform 
of blood-letting than Dr. Morrow was. See W. M. R., vol. 4, p. 103, where 
he says, "every physician of common sense would use it to prevent the 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. Ill 

immediate dissolution of the patient, before other agents could be brought to 
bear on the case." 

I do not mean to be understood to say that Dr. M. would have used the 
lancet often or seldom. I object to the admission that blood-letting is good at 

all that it will prevent the dissolution of the patient in any case that would 

live without it. One admission of this proposition as true and good, may be 
the means of its application to hundreds of cases which would directly sink 
under it. I object also to his claim to more reform than Dr. Lawson exhibits 
in the Allopathic ranks. 

368. "Posthumous works of Dr. Morrow." In the first volume of a work 
entitled "The American Eclectic Practice of Medicine, by I. G. Jones and 
T. V. Morrow," 1853, are 178 pages of matter, entitled "Posthumous Wirings 
of the late T. V. Morrow on the Theory and Practice of Medicine." Here 
I hoped to find some synopsis, at least, of the "distinctive doctrines of Scien- 
tific Medical Reform." But he gives us no description of disease nor the laws 
of life and health; of the nature of symptoms, as vital, mechanical or chem- 
ical; nor any other display from which his ideas on these subjects can be 
gathered. He commences, page 603: 

369. Febrls intermittens, &c. "This is a form of disease of great frequency 
of occurrence, and is characterized by a succession of regularly recurring 
paroxysms, each of which is followed by a distinct intermission," &c. ^f 3d, 
he says, "like other forms of fever," <fcc. 

370. Page 613. Remitting fever. Here he says: "There seems to be 
quite a striking similarity between this and the intermitting; they are doubt- 
less the result of the same cause," &c. At p. 618-19 he says that all 
intelligent medical men agree as to the indications of the disease, but differ 
widely in the modes and means of fulfilling them. He recommends for an 
emetic a vinegar tincture of lobelia and sanguinaria, an ounce of each to a 
quart of vinegar, [vinegar retards vomiting]. 

371. Page 626, "Continued fever is a term applied to those forms of 
fever," <fcc; page 628, "This form of fever," &c; page 646, he calls the 
yellow fever a "form of fever;" page 651, "Phrenitis is a disease," <fec; 
page 658, meningitis is called a "form of disease." 

372. Disease. From the above, and similar, one would suppose that Dr. 
Morrow believed in the unity of disease, and in fever and inflammation as the 
essence of that unity. But, on page 662, he calls otitis " one of the phleg- 
masial diseases;" and 665, he says: "Glossitis is by no means a frequent 
disease." " This inflammation," &c, page 669, he calls "quinsy a form of 
disease;" and page 675, croup "a disease;" page 682, mumps is " one of 
the inflammatory diseases;" page 685, peritonitis "is a disease;" page 689, 
bronchitis is "a very frequent disease;" page 693, laryngitis "is pretty well 
understood as a distinct disease;" page 697, phrenitis is "an inflammatory 
disease," &c; page 704, "pneumonia is a disease;" page 711, "pneumo- 
nia biliosa is a form of disease;" page 718, gastritis is "a disease;" page 
726, can't distinguish the acute from the chronic; page 732, enteritis is "a dis- 
ease," covering all, or a part, of the intestinal canal; page 732, "more fre- 
quent than we are in the habit of suspecting;" page 742, acute bronchitis is 



112 MEDICAL REFORM MORROW 

"a disease of remarkably frequent occurrence;" page 748, "dysentery," or 
kt inflammation of the mucous membrane," is called "disease," "marked by 
small bloody and mucous stools, griping tenesmus, pain, fever;" 750, "acute 
hepatitis is a disease," which we occasionally encounter; and, page 762, 
"chronic hepatitis is a disease of remarkably frequent occurrence;" page 
769, nephritis is "a disease;" page 773, cystitis is "a disease;" page 776, 
mercurial fever is a " horrible malady," <fcc. 

373. All these "diseases" and "forms of disease" being "characterized" 
by given "symptoms," we are shut up to the conclusion that Dr. Morrow 
believed that some fevers and inflammations are distinct diseases, and others 
are forms or varieties of fevers or inflammations; but that all fevers and in- 
flammations, and forms of fever and inflammation, are the essence of dis- 
ease, rather than its symptoms. For, he gives these as the diseases, and the 
circumstances and conditions of the system as the signs or symptoms of dis- 
ease; and he advises a specific treatment for these various "diseases." 

374. All this agrees with a report once made to me, of an answer he gave 
to the question — "What is the difference between your system of practice 
and that of Dr. Curtis?" "Why, Dr. C. believes that disease is a unit, 
exhibiting various forms according to its causes, and the conditions and 
circumstances of the patient, <fec, and he treats them all on general princi- 
ples. / believe diseases to be many, and specific, and I treat them with 
specific remedies appropriate to each case." 

375. Conclusion from Dr. Morrow's published sentiments. I may now 
be asked why I have quoted from Dr. Morrow so much on various subjects, 
and so little that throws any light on the important questions — What is 
health? What disease? What are the true characters of remedies? What 
is irritation, fever, inflammation? What are suppuration and gangrene ? 
What are poisons ? What are medicines? &c. 

I answer : Because, so far as I have ever been able to learn, he was stu^ 
diously non-committal on all these subjects. I have done the best I could, 
that is, gathered from his remarks every thing I could find that seemed to 
savor of a principle in medicine, and from his practice that which seems to 
give a meaning to his panacean " remedy for the removal of the various mor- 
bid actions of medical science," viz : "Scientific Medical Reform." W. M. 
R., vol. 1, p. 61. 

Even his great rule (351), so often repeated, is one to which the most 
ultra Sangrado and Paracelsus might conscientiously subscribe. No Allo- 
pathist believes that his remedies "are liable, in the judicious application of 
them, to produce any permanent injury to the constitution." 

376. The great test of Scientific Medical Reform. On a certain occasion 
(1849)? the Eclectics sought, through Dr. Kost, a union with the Botanico- 
Medicals. Always ready for a union on correct principles, the Professors of 
the latter school cheerfully met those of the former in consultation. 

Clearly perceiving that the object was, first, to charm us, then swallow us, 
then "spew us out," we proposed that the recommending or giving of 
poisons as medicine should forever exclude any man from a professorship in 
the Union College. To this Dr. M. would agree; but how should we know 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 113 

what is, and what is not poison? We answered — " Whatever is calculated 
directly to destroy irritation, fever, or inflammation !" 

" But that was just what the practice of medicine ought to do!" 

Here we caught him on the false foundation in principle — the doctrine that 
these modes of vital manifestation, are "the orders of disease," &c. (41). 
We next proposed, that, "if any Professor in the contemplated Union College 
should recommend in his teachings, or use in his practice, any agent that has 
been to him certainly known, in authorized medicinal doses or degrees, to have 
directly destroyed human life, he should be, by that act, forever deprived of 
his professorship." This was the very "Sword of the Spirit." It "divided 
asunder the soul and body, joints and marrow," of Dr. Morrow's "Scien- 
tific Medical Reform." It cut away, at once, all his favorite cupping, 
leeching, blistering and narcotizing, and left him almost as badly off as the 
old school would have been without the lancet and mercury! Thus ended 
the conference, and thus were discovered the "glorious principles" of the 
great champion of "Scientific Medical Reform." They were essentially 
the same as the Allopathic, but not quite so severely and boldly carried out in 
practice. 

An incident here is worthy of preservation, as it illustrates the "cardinal 
Eclectic principle" called "policy." In the Eclectic selection of Profess- 
ors for the Union College, four were to be taken from each school. Our Prof. 
Hill, the ablest anatomist of the West, must have that chair. Curtis must 
be admitted, or the B. M. College might sprout again as soon as the "policy" 
should be discovered. Kost having labored faithfvilly for the negotiation, 
ought to be paid; but where to put him, was the question. He must not 
supplant L. E. Jones, for he was "one of the ablest teachers of materia 
medica in this or any other country!" and could not be released. 

We then strongly suspected that this ability consisted, in their estimation, 
in a money interest in the college that could not be dispensed with, and that 
the ingenious transfer of this interest to great professional ability was a mas- 
terly stroke of Eclectic Policy. See Buchanan's and Dolley's Principles 
(411 and 435). 

Be this as it may, the poison "test" we offered, most happily relieved them 
from the sad dilemma; and Buchanan's more modern description of the 
literary, scientific and professional abilities, and personal character of Dr. 
J. and others, has clearly unfolded the "disorganizing machinations" of the 
"selfish and unprincipled " "platform " schemer in that negotiation, which 
was doubtless to swallow the B. M. College alive, and, when poisoned to 
death in their stomachs, to "spew it out of their mouths." 

376. RemarTcs. Dr. Morrow and his Practice. Dr. Morrow was a man 
of mediocral talent, but of indomitable energy and perseverance. He acquired 
a considerable amount of what is called medical knowledge and experience; 
but he either did not possess the qualifications necessary to constitute him a 
good critic, or he wanted the moral honesty to exhibit them. He was very 
"ambitious," and, though apparently benevolent, he always intended that 
his charity should bring home more than it carried away. On the supposi- 
tion that he desired to do "equal and exact justice to all," it is difficult to 
assign his motives for his conduct toward those who differed from him in 
policy and practice. His writings against Dr. Terry, and those against 
others that might have been referred to, show a bitterness of spirit and a 
revengefulness of conduct entirely unbecoming such a man and such a 

8 



114 MEDICAL REFORM 1. G. JONES 

subject, and did himself and his cause much more harm than good, in the eyes 
of candid and reflecting men. 

His practice was, as he declares, " untrammeled " by theory or precedent. 
It was just what Dr. Morrow chose to do, without being called on for a rea- 
son for his course. Having no principles to give, he did not feel bound to 
give any; hence our inability to find any among his writings. He used to 
tell his students, who questioned him as to the modus operandi of his reme- 
dies, "I've tried it, and found it so; you try it, and you will find it so. 
We do not know how they operate — we go for the facts.* ' How easy it is 
to see that these apparent facts would greatly vary in different cases (19, 20), 
and therefore afford no light to guide the practice in the future; and hence 
the reason why Eclectics are constantly changing their notions and their 
practices. 

Still, the agents Dr. M. used were mostly more mild than those of Allo- 
pathy, and generally more suitably applied. I do not believe that he used, 
for several of his last years, "general blood-letting," nor mercury in any 
form, nor, so freely as his associates, opium and some other narcotics; though 
I know that he used them frequently, for I found them among his prescriptions. 
He was devoted to his practice, and was, I think it probable, the best prac- 
titioner of the Institute. He surely ought not to have died of dysentery — 
for he had " specifics for that disease." 

Though by no means a fluent, an interesting, or even an instructive lec- 
turer, he was always prompt at his post, and labored hard to do what he 
could; and hence was the warmest friend and firmest supporter of the E. M. 
Institute. 

377. Professor I. G. Jones, of Columbus, was a colleague of Professor 
Morrow in Worthington, a partner with him in practice, well acquainted 
with his principles, and, in 1850, succeeded him in the Chair of Theory and 
Practice, in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. His course of 
Lectures has been published. 

378. In the preface, he says his object was "to embody at once the gene- 
ral principles and the modern improvements in practice advocated by the 
Eclectic School," page V. 

379. He says: "Dr. Morrow, the moving spirit of the Eclectic Medi- 
cal Institute at the time of his death, had contemplated preparing such 
a work, but had written only his treatment of a few important diseases, with- 
out any separate discussion of the pathological phenomena or general princi- 
ples, indispensably necessary in a work proposing great changes in the theory 
and practice of medicine" (373). But that, "in every other respect than 
in malarious diseases, their views of treatment were essentially the same," 
VI. Here, then, we thought we should surely find the Eclectic Platform. 

380. In the first lecture on the "Principles of Medicine," we are told, as 
by Allopathists, that the doctrines of fever are of paramount importance. 
So they undoubtedly are; but what are those of Dr. Jones, that " constitute 
the great changes in the theory" (379)? 

381. "Fever is a disease.' ' What a startling change in the theory of Al- 
lopathy! But the next is something new, to Allopathy in general, though some 
Allopathists have suggested a part of it! 



CRITCISED AND CORRECTED. 115 

382. Causes of fever. The causes of fever are infusoria} from decompos- 
ing vegetable and animal substances. "I recognize but two causes of fevers, 
the vegetable malaria, or koino-miasmata, and the animal malaria, or idio- 
miasmata; the first producing intermittents, the second typhoid" (36). 
"All forms of fever may be safely referred to one of these as their primary 
cause" (39). 

383. Eclectic reform imaginary. We have often said that the Eclectics 
were, in principle, just one remove from Allopathy toward the physio-medi- 
cal system; and here Dr. Jones proves it. Allopathy ascribes fever to inani- 
mate causes; we, to the vital force, and Dr. Jones to animalculse, so little 
removed from inanimate matter, that he confesses he is not able to detect 
them. He only supposes their existence! 

384. Periodicity of fever — Ignorance of the cause. "I must acknowledge 
almost total ignorance of the laws that operate in producing the regular pe- 
riodical return of the paroxysms in this form of disease " p. 50. Well he 
may "regard this science as yet in its infancy — just emerging from the dark 
ages," p. 53. But then he does account for it thus: 

385. "Periodical change is a peculiarity of animal Life" ** It must have 
its rise, progress and decline." As "animalculae produce intermittents, they 
must have periods of labor and rest," 57. 

386. A great discovery. "Intermittent may be associated with almost 
every other form of disease to which humanity is subject," ib., 53. "May 
surprise you, indeed!" 

387. Practice. "As soon as the intermission comes on, administer reme- 
dies to prevent another paroxysm," 54, see Dickson. 

388. "In a debilitated condition, there is not so much resisting force cal- 
culated to throw off disease as in a vigorous constitution," 57. Then it 
must be very unscientific to use debilitating agents during the period of 
lassitude. 

389. " The more severe the symptoms and complicated the disease, [fever], 
the greater the necessity for promptitude and efficiency in your efforts to 
arrest it," 58 [with sedatives]! 

390. "In the cold stage," "simply make the patient as comfortable as 
possible." "For pains in the back and very hot head, sinapisms the whole 
length of the spine," &c. [very mild]. 

391. The hot stage requires little treatment [need not "assist nature"]. 
For "vomiting and purging," "neutralizing physic;" if that does not re- 
lieve, one-half to one-eighth grain morphine, 59. If this does not answer, 
give stronger "opiates," 60 ["assist nature"]! 

392. To prevent determination to the brain, ligatures round the limbs," 
61 [stop the blood from flowing elsewhere]. Quinine and whisky, 62. 

Practice. Sulph. quin. and prussiate of iron, <fec. 



116 MEDICAL REFOKM 1. G. JONES. 

393. Remarks. We here find Professor Jones with the Allopathists as to 
the nature of fever (disease), its causes (an unknown something) and the 
plan of treatment (reducing it by sedatives), differing from them only in re- 
jecting the lancet and mercury, and using with quinine and opium, prussiate 
of iron; very few Allopathists now bleed "in this disease." 

Strange that he should be so ignorant (384) of the cause of periodicity, 
when he knows (385) that all animals must have their periods of labor and 
rest! How could he expect those infinitessimals to be always wide awake, 
up and doing? They want sleep sometimes, as well as the animal on whom 
they operate! Doubtless the anticipated agues are to be attributed to their 
having some restless leaders among them who wake them up too early! 
and then, the postponements may be consequent on their prostration and 
drowsiness, caused by their dissipation and carousals during the severity of 
the paroxysms, and their sitting up too late o' nights preceding! Again, the 
Doctor says: "There should be no difficulty in referring all fevers to this 
one cause (infusoriae), as the difference in the symptoms may arise from idio- 
syncrasy, predisposition, &c, and the temporary circumstances of the pa- 
tient." 0, yes, we can readily understand that. The little fairies will not, 
of course, find it convenient to enact the same farces, cut the same capers, 
and make the same number and character of windings and countermarches 
in large houses and small, well and ill arranged, and they will be much more 
likely to keep themselves mostly "in doors" in cold weather than in warm. 

They may not, either, walk so willingly out at the invitation of a cold 
bath as a warm one, and they may even be less annoyed by a sedative drug 
than by cayenne. Who knows but that's the reason why cayenne rouses a 
fever and the vapor bath disperses it! — and hence the different kinds of medi- 
cal practice excite very different symptoms in the progress of a fever; some 
medicines (stimulants) chasing the little vermin out speedily — kicking, biting, 
and scratching as they go — while others (narcotic) put them quietly to sleep 
within, to rise, when refreshed, to fight the battles with the doctor and his 
patient yet again! And this may cause the relapses and the changes of diag- 
nosis and prognosis! But, jesting apart, the Doctor has really approached 
the true theory of the cause of fever. He attributes it to vital force His error 
is, that he attributes it to the vital forces of animalcule that may or may not 
exist as exciting causes, instead of the vital force of the patient, which alone 
produces fever in all its manifestations. 

394. It is singular that, to a mind as well trained to thinking as Professor 
Jones' certainly is, two of his own facts do not upset his whole theory: 1st, 
that all fevers are caused by animalcule arising from decomposition (382). 
2d. Decomposition cannot take place at a temperature below 60 degrees, and 
even the animalcule generated, are killed by the first frost! Now, Doctor, 
what produces the "fevers " that occur in the heart of winter along the beau- 
tiful Scioto, where, you are aware, they are frequently very prevalent and 
obstinate? 

395.- Again: his practice is not consistent with his theory. If the par- 
oxysm is caused by the carousing of the young invisibles, that would be the 
lucky moment to scatter among them "fire brands, arrows and death," in the 
shape of opium and prussiate of iron! But perhaps the Doctor counts 
them bees with stings, and therefore makes his onslaught as we do on honey 
bees — while napping! 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 117 

Again, he says (388) the debilitated condition is non-resisting to the Lil- 
liputian army, yet he recommends using, in that state, the most debilitating 
remedies to prevent "the resisting force from throwing off the disease" 
(the fever)? 

396. The doctor may object that we do not understand his philosophy, but 
we think we do as well as he does (384). We say not what we do, to 
wound his feelings. We respect the man who works so hard and long in 
search of truth, even though he comes no nearer to it than is an animalcule 
to a man. We would only jostle him from his wrong positions, that he may 
be ready to listen to us when we "lead him into all the truth." 

We now leave Prof. Jones, and pass on to the selection of the doctrines and 
practices of Eclecticism, as developed by its present self-styled "leading" 
"literary, scientific and respectable" "organ," J. R. Buchanan. 

397. In "An Address to the Public" (E. M. J. for 1853, p. 139), Prof. 
J. R. Buchanan says : 

"From the time [1846] of my first connection with this school * * 
its claims and, character were fully set forth; the influence of the press was 
enlisted in its behalf, and its slanderous opponents publicly met and refuted, 
whenever they dared to assail its reputation. Whatever appertained to the 
relations of the school to the public, or required the exercise of literary capa- 
city, devolved upon myself." The trustees of the college shamefully 
acknowledge these arrogant and insulting claims of their "Big man me, 
Joe," in their College announcements. 

398. Knowing Dr. B. to be very fond of theorizing, we looked, with inter- 
est, for the claims of that school to public patronage, in the shape of a 
synopsis of the principles it taught. While Dr. Morrow lived, opposed 
"theorizing," and put forth the apparently plausible doctrine of sanative 
medication (351). Dr. B. seemed restrained from magnifying much his 
office of putting forth whatever appertained to the relations of the school 
to the public. Itching, however, to render himself notorious, and yet 
not permitted to condemn, altogether, the poisons used by his colleagues, we 
find him, in 1849, coming forth as follows, (E. M. J., p. 178— R. 17, p. 68): 

399. 1. "He believed that a perfect system of medical science, never 
allows disease to exist at all, but prevents it, by proper diet and modes of 
life." 

This is not medical science, but physiological. 

2. " The next best system promptly meets disease by the use of agents in 
perfect harmony with the laws of health, physiological in their action; as 
water, air, hot and cold baths and frictions, magnetic manipulations, mechan- 
ical remedies, food, drink, ptisans, and other articles which are not usually 
regarded as either medicines or poisons." — Part of the true Medical System. 

400. 3. " We believe that the next system goes beyond the materia alimen- 
taria, and uses only those articles which most nearly approximate the char- 
acter of food; such as stimulants, tonics, nervines, laxatives, demulcents, 
diaphoretics, anodynes, aromatics, acids, alkalies, salines, saccharines, anti- 
septics, rubefacients, stomachics, diuretics, emetics, hemostatics, expector- 
ants, sorbefacients, alteratives, cholagogues, emenagogues, fomentations, 
embrocations, antiperiodics ; but aims, in all these measures, to select for use 
those which experience has proved to be the most congenial to the human 



118 ECLECTICISM BUCHANAN 

constitution, and least liable to the production of any injury" (p. 180, 
abridged). 

Here is the balance of the Physio-Medical practice : relaxants, stimulants, 
tonics, anti-septics, and lubricants. 

401. 4. The fourth system is "that which not only sheds the blood of 
the patient, but employs all substances indiscriminately, no matter how- 
dangerous their properties or tendencies; and thus frequently either destroys 
life, or permanently poisons the constitution, no matter how judicious the 
practitioner." E. M. J., 180-1, vol. 3, p. 543. [A combination of 3 and 
4 constitutes the Eclectic practice]. 

402. As, in the above, the doctor had expressed himself rather too clearly 
for "the policy" of Eclectic non-committalism, he found himself obliged to 
mystify a little, and open a door to back out through. He adds : 

403. " Our aim is to depart, as far as practicable, from the debilitating, or 
pathogenetic practice, and to approach, as near as possible, to the hygienic 
or sanative practice. The question naturally arises, whether disease can be 
safely treated without disease -creating agents ? We think it can. We do 
not believe that we can, as yet, dispense with medicines ; but we are un- 
doubtedly able to dispense with deleterious agencies," <kc. 

404. ' ' Our doctrine is, that whenever any medicine manifests a tendency 
to act as a poison, in its ordinary administration, we should look upon it with 
a jealousy proportioned to the probability that it would so act," <fec. 

405. " Our practice keeps pace with our knowledge." "We have no 
attachment to any remedy which experience shows unsafe; but, on the con- 
trary, we rejoice in the success of every attempt to substitute sanative for 
pathogenetic medicines," &c. 

406. " Whatever be their errors at present, we are satisfied that reformers 
will ultimately meet on a common platform — the true sanative system." E. 
M. J., p. 181-3. 

407. To these doctrines of therapeutics, we felt that we could most cor- 
dially subscribe; but, as though just then jogged on the shoulder by the non- 
committal spirit of Eclectic "policy," and the non-conforming character of 
its practice, he adds : 

408. "As to the doctrine that all poisons should be rejected from the 
materia medica, we reply that, according to our understanding of terms, that 
would involve nearly the whole materia medica, as there is scarcely a medi- 
cine that will not act as a virulent poison, if administered in a sufficient dose." 

Here is taught the false doctrine of Allopathy, that medicines and poisons 
consist not in their inherent qualities, so much as in their quantities, and the 
circumstances of their uses; and this doctrine justifies the use of any thing and 
every thing that the prescriber may "judge" to act innocently " when judi- 
ciously given. " Hence, he says : "As to opium, we can say that our expe- 
rience in its judicious use, shows that, although it is liable to abuse, its value 
is too great to justify its exclusion from the materia medica," <fec. See 411, 
No. 4 — Progress Backwards ! 

This is the plea of Allopathy for the lancet, mercury, antimony, arsenic, 
and every other poison. (Compare this with 398 to 406, which all condemn 
it directly.) 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 119 

409. " There are several other articles, such as digitalis, strammonium, 
hyosciamus, &c, which are objected to by the more ultra reformers. " 
[The t hysio-Medical]. " We are clearly of the opinion that, if all this 
doubtful class of agents could be expunged from the materia medica, and 
their place fully supplied by others more congenial to life, the reform would 
be most beneficial!" (408). 

410. Here we find the doctor's mind "tending" again in the right direc- 
tion, but his 'popularity and -place in the college, compelled him to bolster up 
a practice with deadly narcotic agents ! In the Physio- Medical Recorder, 
vol. 17, p. 68, the reader will find a full review of the doctor's views here, 
and the backward "progress" of his mind from 1849 to 1851. 

411. In his introductory to the class of 1851-2, this "leader of the E. 
M. Institute," asks: 

" What are the reforms by which American Eclectics are distinguished 
from old school men?" And he answers — " They are eight." 

" 1. We deny the Papal infallibility of the profession." 

"2. We deny that it is impossible to produce satisfactory results without 
the lancet." 

"3. We deny that mercurials are ever necessary." (They are in Beach's 
liniment and Cleaveland's solvent). 

"4. We deny the propriety of using any injurious remedies" (408)! 

Multitudes of Allopathists join in all these denials, yet they and you pre- 
scribe the most deadly poisons (408), calling them injurious only by quan- 
tity and injudicious use ! 

"5. We deny that a physician should be allowed to lose more than two 
per cent." 

In this you deny to yourselves the privilege of practicing at all, in which 
Allopathists will not agree with you. 

" 6. We deny that we know enough of the materia medica." 

Nobody ever charged you with the affirmative! 

" 7. We deny that the functions of the brain should be omitted in our 
systems of physiology." 

So do all physiologists. 

" 8. We deny that physicians should be the last to learn new truths." 

In all these " denials," save the 5th, all medical men agree with you — 
no reform here. 

412. As all the differences between Dr. Buchanan's system and the Allo- 
pathic is the 5th denial above ! it follows that he believes irritation, fever 
and inflammation to be disease; and that cupping, leeching, cantharides, 
(answer to Harrison), opium, digitalis, and other narcotics, &c, are the 
proper means to cure it ! If these are not the fairly inferred principles of 
this negative lecture, then it contains none. 

413. In the third vol. of the E. M. Journal, p. 537 and onward, we find 
another address of Dr. B., quite retrogressive from that of 1849. In this, 
he complains that Physio-Medicals "denounced Eclectics for using poisons," 
and says: "There is no substance in nature which is not poisonous, if used 
with sufficient freedom!" 

" The distinction between medicines and poisons is merely a distinction 
of degree not of kind. Any medicine, if sufficiently concentrated, would 



120 ECLECTICISM BUCHANAN 

be called a poison; and any poison, sufficiently subdivided or diffused, may 
act as a medicine. Snake poison is converted into a medicine by the home- 
opathists; and the most harmless medicines would be pronounced poisons, if 
we could concentrate their energy till a single grain would be a fatal dose!" 
[Wonderful prediction] ! 

Compare this with his opinions two years before (403—7), and see "what 
a falling off was there!" — "Progress" backward. 

414. In vain have we searched through succeeding articles from Dr. B., 
for the exhibition of any scientific medical principle. We see no description 
of health, disease, irritation, fever or inflammation, nor any systematic classi- 
fication of diseased conditions, or vital symptoms; or of food, medicines, or 
poisons. If he has written any thing on these subjects, we regret that it has 
never fallen under our eye. 

415. He boasts much of having introduced into that school, the "liberal 
policy of protesting against ail proscriptive rules, designed to enforce any 
species of doctrine of any medical sect." 

In this it is clearly evident that he means to oppose the recognition of any 
scientific principles, as the teachings of a college or society, such as our Bal- 
timore platform (671). He insists that every doctor should be "thoroughly 
instructed in the science and art of medicine" — "enjoy the right of private 
judgment" — "examine real or supposed improvements" — "adopt what he 
finds beneficial," and "lay aside measures or remedies, found, on examina- 
tion, to be unscientific, dangerous, or destructive!" Ann. Announcement. 

416. Now, he says: " Every mineral, every plant, every part and product 
of the plant, every simple and compound substance in nature, are [is] in 
some way medicinal to man." (E. M. J., 1855, p. 300). 

Pray, how can he find out what is good or bad, if every thing may be 
made poisonous by condensation, or a good medicine by attenuation? He 
has everywhere condemned the trammeling of the mind with principles; and 
yet, in 1855, he justly says: 

"It is chiefly those whose intellectual incapacity unfits them for the 
development of principles, who are disposed to deny their importance." 
And elsewhere, that the "mere recipe system," then taught in the E. M. 
Institute, " does not answer the demands of this enlightened age." (I quote 
this from memory). 

417. Does any one ask an explantion of this gross inconsistency? Let him 
read Jones' and Balridge's exposition of his neurological moonshine. Who 
has abused medical principles ("creeds") more than he? and who is 
more bitter when his own are assailed? He must have liberty of opinion 
and speech; so must others, while they will be tamely led by him — no 
longer! 

418. In an editorial in the E. M. Journal for 1854, p. 359, we are told 
that "Eclecticism is not a special, exclusive theory of medicine, based upon 
one principle; it is a comprehensive system, which tolerates all ideas, and 
recognizes all contributions to science." "It is a system of Panto-pathy" 
(360), whose "votaries have the largest liberty to choose, and denies the 
right of any society or college to dictate a medical creed or a limited routine 
of practice." "It is not a matter of philosophical theory, but rather of 
clinical experience" (361). 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 121 

419. This is just what we have always said of it — that it is a grand sal- 
magundi of any thing, every thing, and nothing (negatives), wholly destitute 
of any scientific, philosophical, or common sense principle. 

A committee of Eclectic physicians of Cincinnati and Covington, say that 
"The same member of the original faculty upon whom devolved, from the 
first, the duty of defining the doctrines and platform of t h e school, is still 
vigilant, as dean of the faculty, in maintaining a liberal and consistent (?) 
course, and in teaching the same Eclectic philosophy in medicine (p. 16). 

This same Buchanan says: 

420. " The doctrines taught in this school [the E. M. Institute], and car- 
ried out by its graduates in their practice, may be justly considered the 
practical embodiment of the American Eclectic system. These doctrines 
are the following:" 

421. "1. That every physician has a right to exercise his own judgment, 
and that no society has a right to prescribe and enforce a medical creed." 

422. "2. That the physician is bound to preserve, with the utmost care, 
the vital power of his patient; to aid nature in the cure of disease, and to 
avoid every measure in practice which experience proves to be deleterious or 
dangerous to the constitution." [From Thomson and the Physio-Medicals]. 

We like this doctrine much; but it is a direct violation of the first, and is 
itself violated every time that the "graduates" undertake to "carry it out" 
with cups, leeches, blisters, drastic physic, opium, or any narcotic, lead, 
iodine, prussiate of potash or of iron, niter, &c, &c, (409). What right 
has the E. M. I., alias Dr. B., or the Am. Ec. Med. Ass., to prescribe such 
a "creed" or " duty," or to bind the physician to obey it, in opposition to 
No. 1? 

423. " 3. That the practice of blood-letting has been proved, by ample 
experience, to be generally injurious, and often dangerous to life; and ought, 
therefore, to be discarded from a system of medical practice." [Violation 
of doctrine 1. No one is to be controlled by the experience of others! Each 
graduate should be allowed to kill, till he is satisfied that the lancet is 
dangerous]! 

424. "4. That the use of mercurial remedies (?) has been shown, by 
ample experience, to be productive of a vast amount of disease and mortality, 
and that such remedies should be laid aside whenever their object can be 
obtained by other remedies and measures." 

This is the genuine Allopathic doctrine. " Mercury has done great mis- 
chief" — <f lay it aside whenever," &c. But Prof. C. H. Cleaveland, of the 
E. M. Institute, tells us, in the Am. Lancet, p. 63, that "the objects of 
the mercurial remedies can not be obtained by other remedies," " in those 
cases where the solvent property is demanded, as in inflammatory adhe- 
sions [healings] of the tissues of the eye, or in pleural or other adhesions of 
serous surfaces." Neither does he believe it [podophyllin, the great Eclectic 
substitute] will "remove deposits of inflammatory exudations following 
syphilitic infections, as calomel will." He thinks that podophyllin, with 
muriate of ammonia, may serve all the purposes of mercury, "except to 
counteract the syphilitic virus!" (p. 63). 

So here we have Buchanan framing a platform that will admit mercury, 
and Cleaveland bringing in the timber and fitting it to its place! Is this 



122 ECLECTICISM BUCHANAN 

"tending to a purely sanative medication" (406), or ^-progressing into rank 
Allopathy, where we always told him he would land at last? 

425. " 5. That the new remedies which have been introduced by American 
Eclectic (?) practitioners, are entirely sufficient to accomplish all the pur- 
poses which have heretofore been accomplished by mercurials, in a much 
safer and more efficient manner!" 

So says the "theorist" B ; the "medicine man," Cleaveland, says, 

"No!" and neither they nor their pupils are to be trammelled by creeds, 
nor held responsible by colleges, nor societies, nor public opinion, for their 
conduct ! Principle, No. 1 . 

426. "6. That all other unsafe remedies, which, like the mercurials, are 
subject to great abuses in their use, and which are capable of being substi- 
tuted by better and safer remedies, should be gradually laid aside, and im- 
proved remedies introduced as rapidly as the progress of science and 
experience will permit." The Allopathic doctrine most non-committally 
expressed! But what does the Platform Builder mean by unsafe remedies? 
Has he forgotten his doctrine (415), that all substances are remedial; and 
(413) "unsafe by quantity, not by quality!" And is it not as easy to give 
an infinitessimal dose of antimony, blue stone, calomel, digitalis, ergot or 
opium, as of anise, bergamot, catnip, dittany, cranberries or figs? Where 
was the "literacy" (397) of the great Platform Builder (see italics), that he 
did not "prevent" this wanton murder of the king's English? 

427. "7. That all new truths [proposed hypotheses]! should be received 
and investigated in a spirit of candor, and that numerous errors and defi- 
ciencies in medical science and practice, in surgery, obstetrics, materia medica, 
physiology and pathology, should be corrected as soon as possible" — as 
"policy" will permit (405-6). 

428. What a "vast" and "irreconcilable difference," between these doc- 
trines and those on the same subjects, of all the true Allopathists alive! 
What " astounding discoveries" are developed by this unique neurologico-pa- 
thologico-politico-circumlocutico-am"biguitico-non-committico Eclectic Medi- 
cal Creed- Maker! 

We have been told by Eclectic physicians of Cincinnati, (Report) by 
Buchanan (397), and by the Trustees as his mouth-pieces (circulars) that 
he is the definer of the platform of American Eclecticism. He tells us, 
(E. M. J., 1855, p. 338), that— 

" In the programmes of medical colleges, * * we find [in "the institutes 
of medicine]," a recognition of the paramount importance of philosophical 
principles, without which facts alone constitute no reliable guidance. It is 
chiefly those whose intellectual incapacity unfits them for the development 
of principles, who are disposed to deny their importance, and exaggerate the 
value of mere facts." [All true and good. Now for the illustration]. 

429. Buchanan tells us that he rejected the prospect of the highest honors 
and profits of an honorable and popular profession, "fairly within his reach," 
and "sacrificed his personal respectability" in joining himself to a faculty, 
"one half of whom were without talent, attainments or notoriety; and the 
other half possessed little more to recommend them than a willingness to 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 123 

learn (E. M. J., 1853, p. 142, &c), that he might develop the great prin- 
ciples of anthropology, and its relations to collateral sciences, which, of 
course, must "include all the institutes of medicine in theory and practice. " 

430. He has now spent nine years in making out a "platform," during 
which time all he has done is to give to any body and every body, full liberty 
to prepare timbers for it, to prescribe the places and manner in which those 
timbers shall be located; and has promised to "accept all contributions to" 
this platform (418). He has sent out his graduates to prepare the timbers 
(420), each in his own way, or according to Morrow's plan of blistering the 
whole abdomen, and giving morphine; or to I. G. Jones', of tying up the 
limbs and giving prussiate of iron; or to Newton's, of giving morphine, 
strychine and opium; or to Cleaveland's, of giving mercury as a solvent to 
dissolve tissues and prevent adhesive, (healing) inflammation; or to King's, 
of rotting the flesh with ergot; or to the steam and lobelia system, or to the 
water-cure plan, or to the homeopathic art of converting "snake poison into 
medicine" (413); or his own theory of fingering and smelling — but time 
and space forbid further enumeration of the objects of his far reaching 
liberality. 

431. We ask, when all these timbers and modes of union, none of which 
are to be rejected (418), are brought to the great architect of the plat- 
form, on what grand scientific principle he will make them come together? 
Either our "incapacity to develop principles," or the impossibility of harmo- 
nizing such heterogenous materials, deprives us of the power to answer; and 
therefore we will ask of the Architect a more reasonable, if not a less difficult 
question. We observe that this platform definer has not only given orders 
to others how to work, but has provided some materials himself. He has told 
us that he had developed the science of mind; that this science involves 
physiology; that physiology involves the institutes of medicine, and, finally, 
that medicine is a system of clinical experience — not of philosophical prin- 
ciples (418)! How does he reconcile these contradictory statements? 

432. He has told us that the true practice would consist of purely sanative 
agents; and that all classes of reformers would finally unite on this platform, 
rejecting all agents of an injurious or poisonous character (406). Then he 
told us that nothing is, in its nature, injurious (409) — "agents are poison 
not by quality but by quantity." Lastly, he tells us that "every mineral, 
every plant, every part and product of a plant, every simple and [every] 
compound substance in nature, are, [is] in some way, medicinal to man." 
(E. M. J., 1855, p. 300). 

433. It is annoying to be so often obliged to correct the "illiteracy," 
"false philosophy," and "supposed hypotheses" of an author; but we may 
properly do it for the boasted prince of "literature, science, philosophy, 
and respectability, whose solidity of judgment and range of reasoning power 
are insufficient to lead him to sound conclusions in matters of principle and 
philosophy," and who is therefore "suspicious of all other deductions but 
[than] his own, and ready to raise the cry of theoretical and visionary" ["nar- 
now," "limited," <fec], against every development of the principles of medi- 
cine [such as the Baltimore platform], however correct and comprehensive 
its philosophy."— [E. M. J., '55, p. 339]. 



124 ECLECTICISM — BUCHANAN 

434. Again, we ask, what are the ' 'scientific principles" of "American 
Eclectic Medicine?" What are its "teachings" concerning life, health, 
disease, the causes of disease, their modes of attack and the effects they pro- 
duce; what are its symptoms, irritation, fever, inflammation, conjestion, 
suppuration, and gangrene? What is the nature of food, poisons and reme- 
dies? What their modus operandi, effects on the human body? Echo 
answers — what? Oh, "they are taught [in the E. M. I.] as thoroughly 
as in all the schools, Allopathic, Homeopathic, Hydropathic, Botanic, and 
Physio-medical" and yet the graduate is not assured by any scientific demon- 
stration, that one "supposed hypothesis" is any better than another! He 
must try first one, then another, till his patient dies or recovers; and 
conclude, in the last case, that the last dose given was the right one. 

These instructions are very injurious (E. M. J., '54, p. 363). "The 
Eclectic physician is especially taught never to use any thing that cannot be 
safely given (409); never to allow poisonous materials to become lodged in 
the constitution," &c. He can give poisonous materials as much as he 
choses (398, 409); but, after they are down the throat, he must not allow 
them to be lodged in the system! (142). Will any one inform us what are 
or are not the "philosophical and distinctive principles of American Eclec- 
ticism," as taught by the platform builder, — the literary, scientific, politic, 
arbitrary, insolent, mountebank leader of the Cincinnati E. M. Institute? 

435. But certain Eclectics who deny the declaration of the platform builder 
(420), offered a premium for the best exposition of Eclectic Principles. 
Essays were written and Prof. L. C. Dolley, of Rochester, one of the pupils 
of the E. M. Institute, gained the prize! 

According to Prof. Dolley "the fundamental and distinctive principles of 
the Eclectic system," as understood by those who originated the same, may 
be said to relate — 

"1st. To its policy, referring to the sources of knowledge. 

"2d. To the methods of investigation. 

"3d. To Pathology — Theory and Practice. 

"4th. To Materia Medica." 

Explanations — 1st. All systems and all nature. 

2d. "The investigation and practice should be entirely untrammeled." 
Governed by no scientific rule nor practical experiments! (418, 421). 

3d. "It is not claimed that Eclectics advocate views of pathology and 
practice which are wholly novel and original with themselves." 

4th. They "reject in toto, the most pernicious features of the old school 
practice." And who does not reject them? 

Professor D. says, "medicine is not a fixed science, because it has to deal 
with frail man, whose existence is limited; whose organization and vital 
force are often defective, and influenced by the errors of education and 
habit." 

That is, man is not built up and sustained on fixed principles, because, 
like all other organized bodies, his is subject to extraneous influences, which 
may mar or destroy him! Alas for Geology, Astronomy, Chemistry, Bo- 
tany, — any science! all whose compound elements are changeable! Sec 
review of this "Prize Essay," Rec, vol. xix, p. 167. 

What are the "distinctive principles" of Eclecticism? 



CRITICISED AKD CORRECTED. 125 

In the announcement of the E. M. L, for 1855-6, it is said that "in 
attending their lectures, the student is made familiar with the established 
facts and principles of medical science (45), as it has been developed by the 
distinguished physicians of the present and past centuries ( "literacy !") and 
is thus carefully and efficiently taught all that is necessary to constitute a 
sound and thorough medical education (5), in the judgment of the great 
mass of the profession throughout the civilized world. In this respect, the 
Institute presents litle that is different from other respectable meuical 
colleges." 

Hence, we see that the Eclectic School is essentially Allopathic. 

But they present, also, a vast amount of "improvements which can not be 
found in any other school" — among which stand "first," the transcendent 
system of brainology, neurology and psycology, of that prodigy of "phi- 
losophers," Professor "B." Next, the use of a vast number and variety of 
remedies of their own discovery or invention; and lastly, the "bold and 
manly style" in which they "realize those reforms which the profession has 
long been urged to mature." 

436. Policy. Lastly, there is a "principle of Eclecticism," called policy, 
that must have been selected from the secret instructions of the St. Aloysian 
Society, to its missionaries among Protestants. It consists in telling all sorts 
of fibs for the benefit of the E. M. I., and to the injury of every thing and 
person that stand in the way of its being considered the largest college in 
the west, and the best college in the world; and J. R. B. the most talented, 
literary, scientific, philosophical, benevolent, truthful! influential, and indis- 
pensable man in that college, or the world! This "settled policy" has shown 
itself from the first, in praising to the skies men who are connected with the 
College, and the means and measures which its existing faculty recommend; 
and in degrading both to the lowest point of infamy, the moment that the former, 
no longer able to endure their unrighteous and immoral course, remonstrate 
with or abandon them; or the latter (their policies) are by other persons turned 
against that faculty itself. 

437. As proof of this assertion, witness the praise bestowed on the Worth- 
ington College while Dr. D. L. Terry was a member. " The system of 
instruction pursued here, combines more advantages, and is better calculated 
to advance the student in the acquisition of a knowledge of the intricate and 
important science of medicine, than any other hitherto in use," W. M. R., 
v. 1, p. 9. Signed T. V. Morrow and others, and dated Jan. 11th, 1836. 

Dr. T., a young Professor, talented, honest, and energetic, soon discovered 
that much of this teaching and practice was wrong, and remonstrated against 
it. This brought on him, in August of the same year, the ire of his col- 
leagues, ami he resigned (ib., p. 116). Let the reader now examine the de- 
scription of his character by the same hand that drew up the above report 
of the capacity of Dr. Terry, with others. "That apostate and mongrel 
Thomsonian ex-Professor, D. L. Terry," whose "course is unparalled in igno- 
miny and disgrace," publishing "barefaced falsehoods and base fabrications;" 
"a designing apostate" (120), because, "without the science or the talents 
necessary to elevate him to a stand among those of the first eminence "(?) 
&c. (121); that is, he was guilty of the "unreasonable ambition" of being 
counted equal to his older colleagues! What a sin! Let him who would 
know which was the superior of those two men, read "Terry on Fever" 



126 ECLECTICISM BUCHANAN 

(pamphlet), and Morrow's lecture at Russelville (W. M. R., pp. 69, 81), with 
Terry's review (T. Rec, vol. 4, p. 337). Let the reader compare the honest, 
manly criticism of the Worthington doctrines (T. Rec, v. 4, p. 287), with the 
Billingsgate that was heaped upon this author for it (W. M. R., v. 1, r o. 8). 

438. Dr. H. Cox. Passing to Cincinnati, we find these extra liberal Re- 
formers praising to the skies Dr. H. Cox, because, lite Chapman and others, he 
had dared to rail against mercury, and, like Morrow, to "enter his solemn pro- 
test" "against the very frequent and almost indiscriminate use of the lancet, 
so much advised by many of the authorities of the present day" (W. M. R., 
v. 1, p. 114). See also vol. 4, p. 103; also page 85, where he is called "a 
highly talented and distinguished physician," and his renunciation of the old 
school practice [only mercury], "able, manly and dignified." 

439. Dr. W. Beach. On page 30th, v. 5, W. M. R., we find Dr. Beach 
"a gentleman who is, beyond all question, one of the most distinguished 
and able medical men of the present or any other age; of exalted reputation 
as a writer and teacher, and successful practitioner; a brilliant ornament of 
his profession; an honor to mankind, as well as one of the greatest bene- 
factors of our race." Vol. 6, p. 266, he was highly toasted in Buchanan's 
presence. 1853, p. 310. 

440. With the faculty, consisting of B. L. Hill, Jas. H. Oliver [old school], 
L. E. Jones, H. Cox, A. H. Baldridge, W. Beach, and T. V. Morrow, "the 
course of instruction in each of the departments will be full and complete, 
embracing every thing of any value known and taught in the old regular 
colleges, as well as in the Reformed and Botanical schools of medicine," W. 
M. R., vol. 6, p. 110. Compare this with what Professor Beach says, Fam. 
Phi., p. 195: "Non -professional readers may imagine that information in 
regard to depletion and sweating is annually taught in our medical schools. 
Such is not the fact." 

441. Now compare this with what is afterward said of Cox, Beach, Jones 
and Baldridge, in general, E. M. I., 1853 (and of Jones and Baldridge in 
particular, page 315): "Unworthy of notice," "regardless of truth and 
honor," "monomaniac of mendacity," "convicted slanderers and traitors," 
<fec. "Mortifying" this self-conceited, Jesuitical deceiver, by "making public 
parade of his want of good sense, decency, and moral principle, and pro- 
claiming to the world a fact that he (B.) would gladly conceal, as in his 
address to the medical public, that the Institute has heretofore contained an 
individual void of the sentiment of honor and a proper self-respect." Better 
attend to the one still in it — charity begins at home. 

442. In an address to the public in 1853, p. 139, Prof. Buchanan, who 
was a member of the committee of negotiation (362), and ostensibly approved 
of the testimony for Professor Jones, says, of half of that same faculty, they 
were "men who had little talents, less reputation, and nothing to lose," E 
M. J., 1853, p. 142. Of Dr. Jones (362) he says, in substance, he was 
persuaded to write communications for the press, and to lend his name as 
author to a book, in his contributions to which his "ignorance and illiteracy 
were corrected," &c, p. 142. His "ideas of medical reform were adapted 
only to furnishing recipes to half-educated physicians" (p. 140), and his 
moral character was that of "stupid mendacity, a selfish and animal nature, 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 127 

impelled by ungovernable passions," "disorganizing machinations," with 
whom "his (B.'s) association was a sacrifice of personal respectability," E. 
M. J., 1853, p. 142. 

What confidence can be placed in the word of a man who will deceive and 
lie, and contradict himself after this sort? 

With what grace and meekness Messrs. Jones and Baldridge receive their 
castigation, how just it was in itself, and how worthy the source from which 
it emanated, may be fully learned from a brace of pamphlets in defence, 
which they will furnish gratis to any anxious applicant. 

443. Thus the remark of Dr. M., vol. 4, p. 106, that, "No sooner does 
any man renounce the old school practice of medicine " (or the objectionable 
parts of it which the Eclectics retain), "than his reputation as a man and a 
physician is assailed with a violence and a malignity truly astonishing," is 
abundantly illustrated in the course of himself and his colleagues toward Dr. 
Terry, Dr. Curtis, Dr. Cox, Dr. Baldridge, Dr. L. E. Jones, and others, 
merely for differing from them in medical doctrine, or for objecting to the 
"policy" of their "course," private or public, or for all these united. This 
is enough to sink them to the lowest depths of "intellectual and moral degra- 
dation," W. M. R., vol 1, No. 8. 

444. As the Trustees not only made no defense against the degrading in- 
sinuations of B. (442), but forthwith lauded their detractor to the skies, as 
the greatest of medical discoverers (see Annual Announcement), we presume 
they very meekly treasured up the insult to their judgment in selecting, and 
their moral responsibility and honesty in recommending, such men as Jones 
and Baldridge, as worthy to be teachers of the future guardians of the public 
health. Were those trustees merely putting their names to what that unprin- 
cipled platform motive had prepared for them? (as Dr. B. L. Hill said they 
would consent to whatever the union committee should agree upon), instead 
of trying to secure the public against imposters, and provide them with com- 
petent teachers of medicine. 

445. The policy of the E. M. Institute's Eclecticism, is not confined to the 
praise of undeserving men, and the abuse of either the undeserving or the 
eminently good. It extends to every species of deception and meanness; 
such as the sending of advertisements through the country, stating that they 
have been the means of doing what was done as much by others; as the 
breaking down of the monopolizing medical laws in the State; the efforts to 
gain admission to the Commercial Hospital; the curtailing of the use of poi- 
sonous drugs by Allopathists, and of the introduction of all the "new reme- 
dies;" including "lobelia," and fifty others introduced first by Dr. S. Thom- 
son. In making out false statements that they have more than half the 
students in all the medical schools in Cincinnati, by the omission of two 
schools and over sixty students. In reporting themselves, and sending run- 
ners to the steamboats and hotels, in October and November, to report, that 
other schools are "dead," or "have but one Professor," and to persuade the 
young men who may be coming in, to go to their schools. In pretending 
that their graduates know every thing, when they themselves have no prin- 
ciples to teach; are accomplished physicians, when they have not a single 
settled medical principle, nor an established rule or means of practice. Of 
all which, and a hundred times as much more, we have the record and the 



128 ECLECTICISM BUCHANAN 

testimony of living witnesses to prove! Finally, with B.'s "liberal policy" 
of "tolerating* all ideas," and clasping to the bosom all "honest and enlight- 
ened reformers " (Announcement), contrast his late "protest" against the 
doings and persons of his friends in New York (E. M. J., 1855, p. 341), 
and we shall see the truth of our assertion, that nothing is "American Eclec- 
tism" that does not magnify the E. M. I. above all other colleges, and J. R. B. 
above all other men. His contradictory opinions respecting his principles, 
and the character of medicines and poisons, and the literary and scientific 
qualifications of his quondam colleagues, show that his judgment in matters 
of science, can not be safely trusted; and his acknowledgment that he strove 
to put forth one of his colleagues as an author, of whose "illiteracy" and 
lack of scientific attainments he was ashamed; his misrepresentations of the 
number of pupils in his own school, as well as in others; and his false asser- 
tion, in his address to the public, that "we once offered him the use of our 
charter" and the privilege of making up a faculty to suit himself, which, 
failing to do, he abandoned it; when the truth is, as will be partly seen by 
reference to the publication of his name among us, that he was only per- 
mitted to be one of a faculty whom there was no danger that he would be 
able to lead astray; and when we discovered, by a letter of his from Boston, 
that he was deliberately deceiving the people, we rejected him, instead of his 
abdicating his chair, prove that his pretended statements of facts are not 
worthy of credit. 

Take him all in all, his miserable mangling of the King's English, his 
heterogeneous medical doctrines, his false statements respecting facts which 
he knows, and his scandalous abuse of every one who presumes to question 
his infallibility, or unite with him in sustaining his "Eclectic policy," his 
arrogant and impudent pretensions to superiority; or of non-committalism and 
humbuggery, point him out most clearly to the public as "eminently quali- 
fied" to instruct the future guardians of the public health! 

The grounds for the everlasting boast of the great number of Eclectics in 
the United States will be understood, when it is considered that, in the first 
place, a few ambitious men, observing that, on one hand, were a "large and 
respected profession" of men who sustained the Allopathic system, and, on 
the other, a great number of Thomsonians who believed in a system and a 
practice diametrically opposed to it; that other systems, as the Homeopathic, 
the Uroscopian, &c, had many adherents; and that many reflecting people 
were displeased on the one hand with Allopathy, and not sufficiently enlight- 
ened and independent to adopt, on the other hand, a thorough reform, deter- 
mined on that master stroke of "Eclectic policy," of rushing in between 
error and truth, Allopathy and a genuine reform, and becoming all things to 
all men (418), giving poisons to those who demanded them, and medicines 
to those who refused poisons (408, 409), pretending to "select the good from 
every system" (418, 421), thus ensnaring alike those who were disgusted 
with Allopathy and those who were not fully prepared for reform, and pro- 
nouncing all "Eclectics" who denounced "the indiscriminating use of mer- 
cury and the lancet," or who, to avoid the abuse always heaped upon the 
advocates of a good cause, were disposed to be silent on the virtues of cay- 
enne, lobelia and the va.por bath. Of such ignorant and unstable malcon- 
tents, a pretty large army has been raised, and are commanded by a leader 
(418) worthy of their composite and ever-changing character. 

In speaking of Beach, Morrow, and I. G. Jones, we gave a sketch of the 
character of the men, as distinct from their medical systems. If any thing 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 129 

of this kind respecting Buchanan is wanted, more than is clearly inferred 
from his " principles and his policy," may be found in his publishing to the 
world, as " science,"a "system of anthropology," based chiefly on his expe- 
riments on a young man who, he knows, was continually feigning nearly all 
the "demonstrations" he exhibited! See Rec, vol. XIX, p. 129, and the 
pamphlets of Jones and Baldridge, once his worthy colleagues in teaching, 
and coadjutors in "Eclectic polifty." See, also, a review of his " Anthro- 
pology," in American Med. and Surg. Journal of this year, particularly July, 
August and September. 

446. Apology. To those who may feel disposed to call us to account for 
the manner in which we have presented the Eclectic system, we can only 
say it is the manner in which we find it, and we are not to be blamed. To 
him who would ask why, if we find no scientific principles laid down 
by its authors, we present such a quantity of trash in their stead, we answer, 
this is the material of which Eclectics boast that their system is composed. 
To him who would ask us why we do not exhibit some order in our presen- 
tation of it, we answer, for the same reason that we should not expect order 
from him in a description of the inmates and the operations of bedlam. It 
would "misrepresent" the whole idea of their bedlam itself, and make it appear 
to be what it is not; and thus we should really have deserved, what we have 
often most innocently received, a "severe castigation ' ' (in Billingsgate) for 
"slandering and abusing the Eclectics and their system." B. L. Hill to J. 
A. Rowland. 

When Eclectics boasted of their superior liberality in "tolerating" all 
other classes of medical men; in condemning no man for his honest opin- 
ions, but in giving aid and comfort to every man to investigate every subject, 
and to question the infallibility of every dogma; of their generous and digni- 
fied fraternity of all honest and inquiring men of every sect; we have felt as 
though we would like to be " one of them." But, when we have observed 
that this liberality and this generosity extended only to those who professed 
to belong to their fraternity; that men (as well as "remedial agents") were 
good only while in their skillful hands, and forthwith became "intellectually 
and morally" "degraded," as soon as they questioned Eclectic wisdom, con- 
sistency, morality, supremacy, infallibility or exclusive right to all science 
and medical improvement, no language was too vulgar to designate them, and 
the best position to be assigned them was, "the lowest depths of intellectual 
and moral degradation." (W. M. Ref., vol. 1, p. 113), we have preferred 
to maintain our "independent position," and carry on reform as best we 
could. 



HOMEOPATHY. 



447. On this subject I was about to copy the doctrines from its founder, 
Samuel Hahnemann, when I thought it best to consult my worthy friend, 
Dr. Pulte, who informed me that many errors in Hahnemann had been 
detected, and that the true doctrines are more clearly developed by Dr. R. 
E. Dudgeon, in his " Late Lectures on the Theory and Practice of Homeop- 
athy," delivered at the Hahnemann School of Homeopathy, and published 
in Manchester, England, 1854. Referring to this work, I find, page 219 
and onward, the advice of Dr. Pulte worthy of particular regard. 

448. Dr. Dudgeon says: "It cannot escape any student of Hahnemann's 
works, that an idea once entertained or an opinion once broached by him, is 
rarely entirely abandoned or formally rejected in his works, even though it is 
virtually suspended by another idea; and the consequence is, that, in his 
writings, and more especially in the Organon. and particularly the later 
editions of it, we find statements, side by side, almost diametrically opposed 
to each other. He seems unwilling to efface what he had previously written, 
but retains the older notion, though the more recent one virtually extin- 
guishes it." * * * " Though * * he does occasionally 
solemnly recant an opinion he previously held," &c. "Knowing this pecu- 
liarity of his mental organization, we have less difficulty in understanding 
his virtual abandonment of the doctrine of secondary actions, while it retains 
a place in the systematic exposition of his doctrines" (p. 220). 

449. Something similar to the foregoing statements was our opinion, and 
therefore we had copied many of the contradictions, intending to present 
them for comment; and we must still do it, especially, because, looking more 
deeply and carefully into the matter, though Hahnemann was often wrong, 
we find that Dudgeon has often condemned what Hahnemann correctly 
stated. 

450. For example, page 212, he quotes Hahnemann's doctrines on the 
action of medicines, thus: " Most medicines have more than one action, the 
first a direct action, which gradually changes into the second, which I call 
the indirect secondary action." Example, opium. 

451. "A few medicines are exceptions to this rule, continuing their 
primary action uninterruptedly of the same kind, though always diminishing 
in degree, until no trace of it can be detected, the normal condition of the 
organism being restored." Example, mercury, arsenic, lead. 

Page 216, he quotes: "In experiments with moderate doses of medicines 
on healthy bodies, we observe only their primary action." 
(130) 



CRITICISED AND CORRECiED. 131 

Page 213, he says: " The discrimination of primary and secondary action 
was a point of some importance according to Hahnemann, as the choice of 
specific, Homeopathic medicine., was dependent upon it." 

452. Now, with all due deference to the critical acumen of Dr. Dudgeon, 
in rejecting these doctrines of Hahnemann, they are, when properly inter- 
preted, positively true. They are absolute facts, and it is because their nature 
and character are not understood, that either Hahnemann, Dudgeon, or any 
body else, has ever been or ever will be obliged to abandon them. It is 
simply because Hahnemann did not understand them, that he did not bring 
the principles of medication to absolute perfection. We agree with many 
medical men, that our knowledge of the practical art is accumulative, not 
progressive; but the principles, if we ever find them at all, must be perfect 
and unchangeable, and so must be the best appliances of the art. 

453. We agree, therefore, with Hahnemann, that these several primary 
and secondary actions (not always of medicines, but that often follow the 
use ) of medicines, are real; and we add, that the true understanding of them 
will completely revolutionize, not only Allopathy in all its phases but 
Homeopathy itself. Well might Hahnemann say it was important, and there- 
fore we shall attempt to show its importance — to explain the hidden mystery. 

454. The whole error and mystery has its foundation in the ^mother 
error" of Allopathy, that irritation, inflammation and fever are disease, 
which Homeopathy still hugs to her bosom. It deprives all who adopt it, 
of the power to learn any thing certain about either the primary or the 
secondary action of remedies, or the reaction of the system upon them. It 
compels Allopathy to exclaim, " Whether as causes of disease or as remedies, 
their action is fraught with the highest degree of uncertainty" (20). " It 
caused Hippocrates to exclaim, " Fallax experientia;" and Abercrombie and 
Jackson to repeat the exclamation. It caused Hahnemann to lightly esteem, 
if he did not abandon, the everlasting truths above put forth, and Dudgeon 
to reject them, saying, p. 560, " There are still vast difficulties attending the 
selection of the remedy," " the appropriate dose," and "the best period for 
repetition" — the all of therapeutics! 

455. Let them all abandon that same mother error; adopt the true doc- 
trine that irritation, fever, and inflammation are but vital manifestations of 
the efforts of nature to expel the causes or remove the conditions of disease; 
let them learn that disease is not a "derangement of the equilibrium of vital 
action," but the state of the organs that prevents its equilibrium; and, with 
this glorious lamp in their hands, the truths above quoted from Hahnemann, 
will sparkle in their eyes like the diamonds and crystals which glisten in the 
caves of the earth, on the approach of the explorer with his torch light. Let 
us see: 

456. "Most medicines have more than one action," <fec. Most medicines 
are compound, possessing different elements; as gums and resins, the acrid 
principle and the astringent, as bayberry; the aromatic and the astringent, 
as witch-hazel; the bitter and the laxative, as bitter root; the bitter and the 
astringent, as birch bark, &c. 

Now, if each of these principles or active powers, acts on the system (and 
it does), and if both can not be manifested at the same time (and, where 



132 HOMEOPATHY EXAMINED, 

they are opposite, they can not), then it follows that one action must be rela- 
tively primary and the other secondary. Thus the resin of gums stimulates 
first, then the gum lubricates; in bay berry the acrid, and in witch-hazel 
the aromatic effects are first developed, then the astringent; in bitter root, 
the bitter effect is manifested primarily, and the laxative secondarily; in 
birch bark, the bitter first, then the astringent. 

457. Hahnemann saw these facts, and though, afterwards, he saw other 
facts that seemed to contradict them; as that some medicines did not pro- 
duce any secondary symptoms, he did not deny the first, because they were 
facts. Not being able to explain both in harmony, on his established (?) 
dogma, "similia similibus curantur," he abandoned the sound principles ( Org., 
§12, note), and based his system on the doctrine that we are to regard the 
totality of the symptoms as all we know of the disease, as even "the disease 
itself" (Organon, §6), and to treat them with remedies which have been 
observed to be followed by these symptoms, on their administration to the 
healthy body, thus confounding all sorts of remedies that either invite of 
provoke vital action to its derangements; or that produce different effects 
according to their qualities; or that produce now one effect and then another, 
according to the relations of the different qualities they possess; and, in this 
respect, securing, over Allopathy, little advantage beyond a negative one, 
that of doing less mischief. 

458. But there is another kind of "secondary effect," which the dis- 
criminating eye of Hahnemann discovered was not the same as that which 
followed the use of "some remedies." This effect, being directly opposed 
to the character and tendency of the remedies, he called "indirect action," 
and he found it to take place after the use of nauseants, as antimony, ipecac, 
<fcc, and before the direct action of sedatives, as opium. This he clearly 
perceived was produced by the vital force; hence he called it a "reactive" 
effect. Here, too, he was right, and hence he "retained" this, to Dr. 
Dudgeon, seeming contradiction, not, as Dr. Dudgeon unjustly charges him, 
because he was unwilling to recant what he knew to be an error, (p. 220, for 
he often frankly did that), but because he knew them both to be facts (as they 
truly are), which, on what he supposed to be an infallible principle, he could 
not explain. Is Dudgeon more wise or candid in rejecting these facts, 
because he cannot explain them? Let him learn the error of similia, and 
then these facts will appear to him as philosophical as they are real. 

459. In the use of some relaxants, as antimony, Dr. Hahnemann observed 
that the medicinal or nauseating action was primary, and the vital, reactive, 
was secondary. But, in the use of opium, he found that the reaction was 
primary, and the narcotic was secondary. He could not reconcile these facts. 
But as he knew them to be facts, and as his rule was to prefer facts to 
theories or explanations, he saved them all. Dr. Dudgeon can not explain 
them, so he charges Hahnemann with a kind of disengenuous "virtual" aban- 
donment of the doctrine of secondary actions, while, to avoid confessing a 
former error, or the charge of present inconsistency, he suffered the reaction 
to "still retain a place in the systematic exposition of his doctrines." p. 220. 

460. We leave it to the candid to say which is the most noble, disin- 
terested and self-sacrificing, to stick to what we know to be true, though it 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 133 

seems to be contradictory, or to abandon a known truth or fact, because we 
can not explain it? We do not say that Hahnemann was altogether faultless 
in this particular — who is? But we do admire his strict adherence to his 
general principle, to let facts be admitted, be the explanation what it may. 

461. We shall prove that, had Hahnemann bestowed the same criticism on 
his " dogma," simiHa, &c, that he did on his facts, he himself would have 
given the explanation that would have reconciled all seeming contradictions. 

He would have seen that the "action which continues the same to the end 
in health," ("produces no secondary,") is the action of that class of reme- 
dies which harmonize with the demands of the vital force, as just enough 
of a pure relaxant to relieve spasm, or a pure astringent to restore tone, or a 
pure stimulant to revive from syncope; or his trouble or "difficulty" that 
these sometimes produce only primary and sometimes secondary actions, 
would have been solved by observing that, in the first instance, they were 
used in the very cases in which the conditions of the system called for their 
use, and in quantities just equal to the demand; and in the second, mis- 
applied, either in the case of the patient, or the quantity administered, or 
mode of application. 

462. Examples. 1st, constriction of the throat. Drink a little warm water 
or weak boneset tea, and the medicinal action harmonizing with the demands 
of the system, it "gradually diminishes till it ends in the healthy state;" no 
reaction ("secondary effect") follows. 

463. Give to a case in which this constriction does not exist, large 
draughts of the same fluids, and the same medicinal, primary, relaxing action 
commences; but, "after a time," reaction or vomiting takes place. Hahne- 
mann saw these facts, ani, at first, he called them primary and secondary; 
but it was soon clearly evident to him that the reaction could not be pro- 
duced by the same cause that produced the relaxation; hence he gave it the 
better name, "reaction," and ascribed it justly to the vital force as its cause. 

464. Give to an irritated stomach, a minute dose of boneset, lobelia or 
warm water, and the primary (medicinal) effect will be simply quieting; no 
reaction will follow, the relaxing effect will gradually diminish till it ends in 
health. Give a very large dose of either of these, and the primary or medi- 
cinal effect will still be relaxation; but, when this effect is overcome by the 
vital force, reaction will take place. 

Give to the same case, a dose of the salts of copper or zinc, or of any 
powerful astringent or stimulant, and the primary medicinal effect will be 
vomiting, after which relaxation will take place, either from the fatigue of 
the act, or from the debilitating influence of the medicine, or both. 

465. Hahnemann saw these things as facts, and he did not reject them 
because he could not explain them. But he failed in not perceiving here a 
rule for distinguishing medicines from poisons, and he erred in using indis- 
criminately all the agents whose administration was followed by such effects, 
instead of ascertaining what remedies directly fulfilled the demands of the 
case, their action "terminating in health;" and in using these, to the exclusion 
of those that produced a "primary," "direct effect" that was unnecessary 
or injurious, before the "secondary" or "reactive" — curative effect could 



134 HOMEOPATHY EXAMINED, 

occur. And the same is true of Dudgeon, and of Allopathists, and every 
other class and individual of a class, who adheres to the old error of errors — 
the "fever disease" doctrine. 

466. It amounts to this, then, that, whenever a poisonous drug is given, 
or a good one misapplied, in quality, quantity or manner, a reaction must 
take place before the disease is cured. 

But sometimes both the primary and the secondary actions of the system, 
or those of several medicinal qualities are wanted. Say the stomach is foul 
and inactive; the fluids being absorbed into the system, the more solid 
portions of the ingesta and of the secretions are enveloped in its corrugated 
folds and gastric secernents, so that the ordinary action will not easily expel 
them. That state demands first, relaxation to loosen the tissues of the 
mucous membrane; secondly, stimulation to set the stomach in motion; 
thirdly, contraction to diminish its caliber, so as to expel its morbific con- 
tents. Warm water or aromatic teas will do the first, ginger or cayenne 
the second, and tannin or any pure astringent the third. Here are not only 
primary and secondary, but a tertiary action, or a combination of the pri- 
mary and secondary — the primary being the relaxing, the secondary, (3d in 
order here), the astringent or opposite of the primary, and the third the 
stimulant or a combination of the other two. And these are all the purely 
medicinal actions that the practitioner of medicine can directly induce upon 
the system. The when, the how and the with what, to produce these, con- 
stitute the chief skill of the healing art. The rest is prophylactic, chemical 
and mechanical. 

467. But I digress. " In experiments with moderate doses of medicines 
on healthy bodies, we observe only their primary action." 

I have said this is true when properly understood. First, it is true of all 
true medicines, used in very minute quantities; for the system, not needing 
their action, is not disturbed by it. They are like a little cool or a little warm 
air or water, a little aroma in the nose, or a very little dust in the lungs, not 
sufficient to produce any considerable derangement or hindrance to the 
equilibrium of vital action. 

468. But, secondly, it is true of even injurious agents or good ones misap- 
plied, when used in extremely minute quantities; thus we breathe both bad 
and good air, drink both pure and impure water, and eat both pure and 
impure food, and are not, when in health, sensibly affected by them. 

469. We must take them in large doses to know their influence upon us, 
and consequently, whether they directly aid or oppose physiological action, 
in other words, whether they are medicines or poisons! And hence the, 
not homeopathic, but physio-medical rule of "proving them on the healthy 
body" (which Thomson taught before Hahnemann did), is the only sure test 
of the character of remedies. 

470. But how can they determine this question who count physiological 
action disease ? If they count irritation, fever and inflammation disease, they 
must pronounce all the agents that excite them, whether directly or indi- 
rectly, pathogenetic; and all those whose administration is followed by their 
removal, curative, whether they remove their exciting causes or destroy the 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 135 

power of the system to manifest them. Hence, well might "the discrimi- 
nation of primary and secondary action be a point of some importance, 
according to Hahnemann, as tLe choice of all true medicine is" really, "de- 
pendent on it." 

471. If, then, Hahnemann, though he could not see how nor why, was 
really right in all these positions, what should Dudgeon have done? Instead 
of condemning what was right, he should have attacked and exposed what 
was wrong. He should have opened his batteries on Hahnemann's false 
doctrine of disease. " The totality of the symptoms constitute the disease," 
(Organon, § 6). He should have shown that the symptoms are not the dis- 
ease, and that therefore they are not that which is to be cured. He 
should have shown that an agent which causes the disease, whether a bad 
one in its nature, or a good one misapplied, is not the proper agent to cure 
it. That, when a disease is cured, after the administration of both poisons 
and medicines, the similia non similibus curantur; because the similar symp- 
toms are not cured by similar agents, for similar agents are not used. Or, if 
he object to this, and say that similar symptoms are cured by agents that pro- 
duce them, whether those agents are similar or dissimilar (Org., § 26), I 
answer, that dissimilar agents have no power to produce similar effects, for 
it is only by their dissimilar effects that we know them to be dissimilar. 
Therefore, where the same effects are produced on the body by the applica- 
tion of dissimilar agents, we must look for the cause of those effects to some 
other power which produces them all, whether in harmony with those agents 
or in opposition to them, one, two, or all together. And thus, he would 
have found the fundamental error of Homeopathy involved in its fundamental 
dogma, similia similibus curantur, almost the only one on which all its advo- 
cates agree, as a settled principle; and the one in which she is still the irtfant 
daughter of her venerable mother. Allopathy, a chip of the old block, inherit- 
ing the same nature, and only a little modified in her manners! 

I know these are bold assertions, but I proceed to demonstrate their truth. 

472. Constantine Hering says, (Organon, p. 3): 

'*■ 1. All Homeopathic physicians are united under the banner of the great 
law of cure, similia similibus curantur; however they may differ in regard to 
the theoretical explanation of that law, or the extent to which it may be 
applied. 

"2. All Homeopathic physicians acknowledge that provings upon the 
healthy, are indispensable in ascertaining the unknown curative power of 
drugs. 

" 3. Finally, all Homeopathists concur in giving but one medicine at a 
time. Never mixing different drugs together, under the absurd expectation 
that each will act according to their dictum. This is the glorious tricolor 
of our school, which will make the circuit of the world, and in these we are 
as the heart of one man." He adds, p. 4: 

" There will always be a large number of physicians who either do not 
understand or will not learn, how to select for each particular case the one 
only proper medicine; and such will always find it more comfortable to em- 
ploy massive doses. There will always be, perhaps, as large a number, who 
will, by-and-by, know how to hit the nail upon the head, and they will learn 
to prefer the higher potencies," (473). 



136 

473. After a long course of critical lectures on Homeopathy, Professor 
Dudgeon comes to the following conclusion, p. 558: 

"1 believe I have touched on (imperfectly in many instances it may be), 
every point of practical and theoretical importance relating to the Homeo- 
pathic system of medicine, and I shall now bring this course of lectures to a 
close, by recapitulating, in a very brief summary, the chief points that have 
engaged our attention during the past weeks. The three cardinal points of 
the Homeopathic system, that are acknowledged by all the disciples of Hah- 
nemann, however they may differ in other matters, are: 

" 1st. The proving of medicines on the healthy, in order to ascertain their 
pure pathogenetic effects. 

"2nd. The administration of the medicines so proved, according to the 
therapeutic maxim, expressed in the phrase, similia similibus curantur. 

" 3rd. The administration of the proved medicines according to this prin- 
ciple, singly and alone. 

"All who hold these articles of faith, and practice accordingly, are Home- 
opathists, and acknowledge, as their master, the great medical reformer of 
the nineteenth century, Samuel Hahnemann. 

" I have shown, in the course of my lectures, that the most rational views 
on the subject of Patholog} 7 , lead to the recognition of the Homeopathic the- 
rapeutic principle, as the only plausible guide in the administration of the 
curative agents termed medicines; that the recognition of this principle as 
our therapeutic guide, involves the necessity of proving medicines according 
to the method laid down by Hahnemann, and that the practice of giving but 
one medicine at a time is a necessary corollary from the other two maxims," 
(p. 559). 

"I am very far from agreeing * * that the doctrines of Hahnemann 
are an unimprovable system. * * Medicine is and ever must be a pro- 
gressive science. * * There are still vast difficulties in selecting the 
remedy. The rule for the administration of the appropriate dose remains yet 
to be discovered, the best periods for repetition of the medicine are still un- 
certain, and there are still many diseases that are not amenable to the very 
best treatment," (p. 560. See No. 472). 

474. It has been a matter of surprise to me that all the reviewers of Home- 
opathy, its friends as well as its opposers, have passed over its fundamental 
errors, and spent their force on its matters of minor importance. They have 
skirmished about its outposts, and now and then taken a redoubt or jostled a 
weak sentinel from his post; but not one of them, even the great Forbes 
himself, has ever shot a ball of any consequence into the main garrison. 
This is explainable, only on the fact which I have exhibited, that the great 
and fundamental errors of all are the same. The inability of Forbes, the 
most learned and candid opponent, to see the error of Homeopathy, was his 
inability to see that of Allopathy; the error, I repeat, no matter how often, 
of considering and treating irritation, fever and inflammation as disease; 
which error, as I shall show, is involved in the "dogma," " similia similibus 
curantur" 

475. First, then, I most cordially agree that the true way to ascertain the 
pathogenetic or the curative nature, properties or qualities of any agent, is 
to try it on the healthy subject, in doses sufficiently powerful to "disturb 
the equilibrium" of the healthy state, or vital action. But this doctrine is 



CRITICISED A2fD CORRECTED. 137 

not peculiar to Homeopathy. It has been recognized by many eminent phy- 
sicians, in all past times. Dr. Samuel Thomson, the greatest American 
medical reformer, published it to the world eighteen years before Hahne- 
mann did. 

476. If we try an agent on the sick, and he gets well, it may be that the 
vital force cured him, either by the aid of that agent, or in spite of its oppo- 
sition. If he dies, it may be because of the action of the agent or because 
of the disease, and we have no means of certainly ascertaining which is the 
case. 

477. Thus, thousands upon thousands regularly die by the lancet, mer- 
cuiy, opium and other deleterious agents, and their death is ascribed to the 
disease for which those agents were prescribed, while thousands more recover 
after the use of the same agents, and the recovery is ascribed to these same 
instruments of death! 

478. But, if persons at a wedding, drink tea or coffee, or eat cake, or pies, 
or puddings, into which arsenic and other regular medicines have been 
mingled, and they immediately sicken and die, there is no doubt as to the 
character of the medicines or the cause of death; and, if the doctor who 
administers them is caught, he is not treated quite so honorably and affec- 
tionately as the young M. D., who administered the calomel and arsenic a few 
days before, to cure the chills and fevers, in the case of the dear and lamented 
young friend, who was thus effectually prevented by "a most inscrutable 
Providence, for wise and gracious purposes," from bearing him company to 
that same wedding! 

479. Let us learn the character of remedies by their action on the healthy 
system, and there will be no longer "a vast difficulty attending the selection 
of the remedy." " The appropriate dose" will be that which produces all 
the action that is wanted, "the best period for its repetition" will be when 
it has spent its force, and the " cases which are not amenable to the best 
treatment," will be only those of fatal lesion of function or tissue. They 
will be few and far between. A few persons will be slain by accident or 
design, but the vast majority of mankind will be preserved to the end of the 
race, and restored to the care of old Time, who long ago gave up his regular 
business and hung up his scythe to the rust, having been supplanted by the 
lancets and the poisons of medical quackery! 

480. But I shall be asked, why, then, are not Homeopathists right? as they 
prove their medicines on the healthy? 

I answer, first because, their fundamental doctrines (fever disease, and 
similia) teach them to call both medicines and poisons both pathogenetic 
and curative, and to use them all as remedies. 

481. Secondly. The doctrine that but one remedy is to be used at the 
same time, is a great error in fact, and one which the Homeopathist seldom 
does or can regard in practice, for, 

482. Most remedies, especially vegetable, are compound, involving many 
distinct and often opposite principles. These, taken into the system, 



138 HOMEOPATHY EXAMINED, 

produce the primary and secondary, and sometimes tertiary effects, noted 
by Hahnemann, (450 to 464). 

483. For example, in a case of bleeding at the stomach, I desire to diffuse 
the blood to the surface, &c, and astringe the bleeding vessels. If I give 
a pure aromatic, as spearmint or lobelia, I do the former but not the latter. 
If I give a solution of pure tannin, I do the latter but not the former. If I 
give the aromatic astringent, witch-hazel (two properties in one article), I 
do both. So I could give the tannin in spearmint or lobelia tea, and do 
both; as I have many a time done, and effected my object in a few minutes. 

In these cases, the relaxing effect is primary and the astringent secondary; 
all relaxants acting more promptly than astringents, as the former excite the 
nerves instantly, while the latter bind up more gradually the vascular tissues 
with the nerves. I use the same compound treatment in all the excessive 
mucous secretions; as diarrhea, diabetes, menorrhea, &c, that is, I use 
general, diffusible stimulants, combined with local astringents. Will any 
one say that it would be better to use the diffusible and wait till its relaxing 
influence is fully spent before he attempts to close the open vessels of the 
diseased part? If so, it is no wonder that he should not yet have found 
"the best period for the repetition of the medicine," or "the proper time to 
change it for another," (p. 550). 

484. Do Homeopathists suppose that, when they give their "acro-nar- 
cotic," or "aero-astringent," or "acro-nauseant," or "bitter astringent," 
or " bitter nauseant," vegetable remedies, they " give but one medicine at a 
time?" When they give tart, ant., or tinct. fer., plumb., sulph. ac, or 
zinc; caps., tinct. camp., canth., sars., samb., scill., in short, almost the whole 
catalogue of their preparations, do they suppose they are giving but one 
remedy at a time? Do they not know that the most of their organic agents 
are easily separable into proximate principles, and the inorganic into their 
elements by the vital chemistry, and then the principles act differently, ac- 
cording to their natures? Are not, in the above ca:es of hemorrhage, exces- 
sive secretions, <fcc, more effects than one needed, and will not compound 
agents, that act in harmony with the vital indications, produce those effects? 

485. I reason with you, my Homeopathic friend, candidly. I have no 
prejudice, that is, blind objection, against yours or any other system. I am 
open to conviction. Give me either facts or sound reasoning, to prove your 
system better than mine, and I will adopt it at once. But I can not complain 
that "medicine must be a progressive science" (p. 560) to those who have 
not yet discovered its true principles. I join with the advice of Professor 
Dudgeon, that you " rest not contented with what has been done, but ask 
yourselves what is still to do," and watch me carefully while I pull down the 
old castle of error yet remaining, whose inscription is similia similibus 
curantur. 

486. It is seen before, that there are differences of opinion as to the theo- 
retical explanation of this law, or the extent to which it may be applied. I 
ask, if they do not know the explanation of that law, nor the extent to which 
it may be applied, how much good can it do them? may they not be liable 
to misapply it, either in manner or extent, and thus do mischief instead of 
good? 



CRITCISED AND CORRECTED. * 139 

487. But it is explained by Hahnemann thus: Sec 26, "a dynamic dis- 
ease in the living economy of man, is extinguished in a permanent manner, 
by another that is more powerful, when the latter (without being of the same 
species) bears a strong resemblance to it, in its mode of manifesting itself." 
Again, Sec. 27: "Disease can not be destroyed or cured in a certain, 
radical, prompt and permanent manner, but by the aid of a medicine that is 
capable of exciting the entire group of symptoms, which bear the closest 
resemblance to those of the disease, but which possess a still greater degree 
of energy." 

This would show that nature is trying to do all that should be done, and 
that the doctor should aid all her efforts, by therapeutic means. 

488. As Hering and Dudgeon do not tell us what is either disease or 
health, we must inquire of Hahnemann on these subjects; for how shall we 
restore from disease to health without knowing what either is? Till these 
two points of information are gained, "medicine must" indeed "be an em- 
pyrical art," (561). 

Hahnemann says: 

Health is that condition of the body in which the vital force has full com- 
mand of it, (§ 9, 19), and (§ 6) "the totality of the symptoms;" § 1 1, "the 
irregular actions;" § 19, "nothing more or less than changes in the human 
economy," "is the disease." 

Disease. What? "For the physician, the totality of the symptoms 
alone constitute the disease." "They represent to its full extent the dis- 
ease; that is, they constitute the true and only form of it which the mind is 
capable of conceiving," (Organon, § 6). 

" The symptoms announce themselves to us as the objects of cure! What 
is there in disease besides these which physicians have to cure? (Org., § 6). 

"The totality of the symptoms is this image of the immediate essence of 
the malady," (Org., § 7). 

" A single symptom is no more the disease itself, than a single leg is the 
whole body," (§7, note, p. 98). 

" The irregular actions of the vital principle we call disease," (Org., §11). 

" The suffering of the vital power, is the entire morbid affection," (§11, 
note). 

"Disease is an aberration or a discord in the state of health," (§ 31, note). 

"Diseases are solely spiritual and dynamic changes in the animal econ- 
omy," (Org., note to § 31). "The balance of vital action constitutes health ; 
the loss of this balance is disease," (Dudgeon, p. 30). 

Here is a great error. Disease is a state, or condition, not an action. And 
this error generates another on the 

489. Cause of Disease. "Only the vital principle disturbed by the dy- 
namic influence of a morbific agent, can give to the organism its abnormal 
sensations, and incline it to the irregular actions which we call disease," Sec. 
11. — "It is solely the morbidly affected vital principle, which brings forth 
diseases," Sec. 12. 

490. From the above quotations, we see what the (( similia*' are, that 
curantur, are to be cured, viz., the "irregular actions," "the disturbances 
of the vital principle," caused by its own action as excited by the dynamic 
influence of a morbific agent (Sec. 11 ); in other words, it is irritation, fever 



140 HOMEOPATHY EXAMINED, 

and inflammation that "constitute the sum total of disease," (Sec. 6, 12), 
which identifies, in this respect, Homeopathy with Allopathy. It is a "fever 
disease" system, and of course its advocates must, with Allopathists, count 
those articles "remedies," that, being given in fever, &c. are followed by a 
cure, whether in harmony with their action, as asarum, or against it, as 
arsenic. Yet they declare that, in both cases, the cure is effected by these 
entirely different means, on the mysterious, unexplainable principle (Org., 
§ 12, note), similia similibus curantur. 

491. It seems to me that every one ought to see clearly, that, even if it 
were admitted that similia curantur — similar symptoms are cured — it can 
not, in these cases, be done similibus, that is, by agents producing similar 
effects; for, surely, asarum and arsenic do not act much alike on the system. 

492. The cause of disease. "The spiritual essence, the vital power pro- 
duces the disease," (Org., note to § 6.) " Disease is produced by a morbid 
derangement of the vital force," (note to § 8). "Only the vital principle 
disturbed, can give to the organism its abnormal sensations, and incline it to 
those irregular actions which we call disease," (Org., § 11). "It is solely 
the morbidly affected vital principle that brings forth diseases," (§ 12). 

So the vital force is both the cause and the curer of disease! If so, how 
can it be said that any similia, that is, material agents, either cause or cure it? 

493. "Homeopathic medicines are those agents that produce symptoms 
similar to those of the malady," (§34). " The curative virtues of medi- 
cines depend solely upon the resemblance that their symptoms bear to those 
of the disease," (Org., § 27). 

494. Remedies always act in the same manner, and produce, so far as 
they produce any, the same effects upon every individual, (Org., § 32). 

" The morbid symptoms which medicines produce in healthy persons, are 
the only indications of their curative virtues in disease," (Org., § 21, caption). 

495. From the foregoing extracts, which give us a full and a fair view of 
the doctrines of Homeopathy, we clearly perceive that, however different from 
it in some respects, this system has the same canker at its root, that we have 
discovered and condemned in Allopathy, viz., the fatal doctrine that the 
vital symptoms of disease are all we know of its essence or nature (Organon, 
No. 6); that they are, in fact, the disease itself (ib. 11,12); hence, that irri- 
tation, fever and inflammation are disease; and that the treatment must be 
directed to the cure of these symptoms, by means the use of which, in health, 
will be followed by their production. Now, although they seem to agree 
that all the vital symptoms of what they call acute diseases, are of dynamic 
origin (Org., § 12), yet they also maintain that the remedies produce them 
(Org., § 1,21), or at least excite them (Org., § 12), and adopt the mis- 
chievous Allopathic error, that all the remedies whose administration is fol- 
lowed by the same effects, are sanative; perceiving no difference and making 
no distinction, between those that provoke and those that invite the vital 
manifestations. If, in one case, they give a small dose of opium, and in another 
one of cayenne, and the system acts against the opium to remove it, and 
in harmony with the cayenne, to increased physiological results, the symp- 
toms in both cases are the same; hence they explain it by their theoretical 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 141 

position, similia similibus curantur, though it is quite evident that, even if a 
cure is, in both cases effected, it is not by similia, for there can scarcely be 
found two agents in nature more dissimilar than opium and cayenne, as may 
be easily demonstrated by giving twenty grains of each to a healthy person. 
The fact, then, that the administration of certain remedies, either in large 
or small doses, is followed by certain vital manifestations, is no proof that 
those remedies are similar, or, what is equivalent, that they produce similar 
effects on the living tissue. Such a conclusion ignores in toto both the dis- 
similarity in the nature of the agents, and the existence in the system of the 
very dynamic power to produce the symptoms which they ascribe to that 
agent, (Org., § 9, 10, 11, 12). 

496. Let any one compare the various "remedies" which, according to 
the Homeopathic Repertories, are said to have been "proved" to produce 
given symptoms, and he will find them to be of the most heterogeneous char- 
acter imaginable. Take, for example, the following: which are "proved" to 
have produced the symptom or disease called " Exanthema;" inflammation 
of the surface. 



Aconite, 


Capsicum, 


Hyosciamus, 


Fox Glove, 


Alum, 


Asarum, 


Elder, 


Ergot, 


Bismuth, 


Bryony, 


Senega, 


Phosphorus, 


Colchicum, 


Copper, 


Valerian, 


Stramonium, 


Iron, 


Hellebore, 


Verbena, 


Zinc, <fec. 



Suppose, for the sake of this view of the argument, that, on the admin- 
istration of any of the left-hand agents in some cases, and those of the right 
in others, the Exanthema ceases. All admit that the similia curantur, (sim- 
ilar affections are cured); but who will agree that curantur similibus, — 
the cure is effected by similar agents ? No one; all must see that the cure 
effected by the vital force, aided by some of the agents, and provoked by 
others. 

Compare the various agents recommended in the Repertories, for the cure 
of any other symptom of disease, and we shall see a like dissimilarity in 
their nature throughout. Hence the very foundation stone of the Homeo- 
pathic system is so rotten that we have picked it to pieces with the point of 
pen! 



our np.n! 



497. "But," says the Homeopathist, "our system was not built upon 
theory but upon facts. The remedies do thus act — they cure disease; and, 
therefore they are similar." 

I answer, so also says the Allopathic advocate of facts. But all the cura- 
tive actions are produced in all cases by the vital force, sometimes by provo- 
cation, and sometimes by invitation; as men are induced to act sometimes by 
enemies and sometimes by friends; to the exhibition of love and good works. 
In the Homeopathic practice, so little medicine is used that its pathogenetic 
action is seldom manifested. 

498. "But," says the Homeopathist again, "all remedies possess two 
qualities, pathogenetic and curative." So says the Allopathist of his, and 
they and you agree that these two qualities depend on the quantities admin- 
istered, the condition of the patient and the circumstances of the admin- 
istration. 



142 

499. The scientific chemists, of all parties, know that all elements, simple 
or compound, possess certain definite properties which the simples can never 
change, nor the compounds, till they themselves are changed; and that, of 
course, these properties, when acting as causes, must always produce the 
same effects, (Org., § 32). Now the production of disease and its cure 
are opposite effects; they cannot proceed from the same inanimate causes; 
therefore, if cures follow the administration of different dissimilar agents, 
they must be attributed to the action of some other power than those agents; 
and the agents must be regarded as mere excitants of that power, either in 
a friendly or an unfriendly manner, (Org., 11). One system may prescribe 
largely of these exciting agents, and another sparingly. That which pre- 
scribes the least of the mischievous ones will do the least mischief, while 
that which prescribes the requisite quantity of the good ones will do the 
most good. 

500. But both systems are wrong, because they count the same vital 
manifestations disease, and prescribe the same heterogeneous agents, "reme- 
dies," to cure it! It is not a little singular that Homeopathists declare, 
with one breath, that their system is based on a principle totally different 
from the Allopathic, and, with the next, quote the universal similarity of the 
doctrines and practices of Allopathy and Homeopathy, to prove its truth. 
(See "Dudgeon's Lectures," § 1). 

501. We see not how Homeopathists can complain of Allopathists for 
bleeding to cure hemorrhage, purging to cure diarrhea, giving mercury to 
cure "morbid secretions," cayenne to cure inflamed throat, or nux vomica to 
cure tetanus. In fact, they do, themselves, the second and third. It does 
not avail to say they prescribe smaller doses, for the true meaning of Home- 
opathy involves the principle; it does not limit the size of the dose, which, in 
both systems, is left to the best judgment of the practitioner, as to how much 
is required in given cases. 

502. Thus, as I have often said, it is clearly demonstrated that Homeopa- 
thy is but the infant daughter of Allopathy, and has no other reason to 
quarrel with her mother than simply that the old lady has become rather 
hardened in iniquity, and gives with a more liberal hand the nauseating 
doses. Homeopathy is Allopathy, for a similar disease is not the same dis- 
ease, therefore it is another disease; and because it professes to cure the 
same disease with remedies of a very different character. If these remedies 
produce specific results, it must be because they possess specific, that is, de- 
finite and unchangeable qualities, (Org. 32). 

If different agents possessing different specific properties, really cure the 
same affection, it must be simply because they excite or provoke the vital 
force to an action of its organs which produces the cure without reference 
to the character of the exciting causes, and this is the fact. Stimulants or 
astringents, or even powerful relaxants — the nux vomica or too much of a 
good dinner, may so excite the already irritated stomach that it will reject 
them. If, after the emesis, the irritation ceases, there is a cure; but it is rot 
effected similibus, that is, by agents all calculated to produce the same effects. 

One who observes and reasons, would think that the very fact that the 
"provings" have taught Homeopathists that specific symptoms can be re- 
lieved by such a multitude of agents of a very different specific character, 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 143 

and that such a host of different symptoms can be relieved by the same Ac. 
or Cup. should teach them also that it is not always the medicine that 
cures in these cases. 

503. But we are told that Hahnemann was no therorist, that he never 
allowed theory to question his "proved facts/' and his followers seem to 
closely imitate him. Hence, alone, can a philosopher account for their swal- 
lowing such palpable absurdities as the proposition that a similar disease is 
not another disease; and that when the cure of a specific affection in a 
hundred different cases follows the administration of a hundred different 
agents, of as many different specific properties, qualities, or capabilities of 
action, that cure is effected, in each case, on the principle and by the law, 
similia similibus curantur. 

504. But, asks the Homeopathist, if they are not so cured, by what law 
are they cured? I answer, 1st. He, of all men in the world, should be the 
last to ask me to explain what he considers it folly to examine, (Org. § 12, 
note). He accepts his apparent [false] facts, without a question, con- 
demns me for testing them by observation and experiment, and then requires 
me to explain their essential character! But, as I reject this ignoring of 
every thing that does not appear plain to the most superficial sense, I diso- 
bey his caution not to reason against nor question supposed facts, and plainly 
and clearly answer his query. It is because all agents that affect the system 
for good or for evil, if they do not disorganize nor paralyze it instantly, ex- 
cite it to acts of a physiological character; conservative, defensive, and 
sustaining; which acts are the procuring causes of cure in every case, no 
matter what be the character of the medicine. And this is the reason w r hy 
Allopathists, Homeopathists, Eclectics, Physopathists, and all pseudo 
reformers who despise theory (science), and use, promiscuously, medicines 
and poisons of every shade of character and grade of power, sometimes cure 
by inciting or provoking a due degree of vital action; and why the big dose 
men of all these parties or sects, often kill outright, by giving more poison 
devils than the system can cast out, and the little dose men sometimes do the 
same, and that others do no good by not giving enough to excite the sys- 
tem at all. 

504 a. The dynamic or vital manifestations are not disease, but efforts of 
the system to remove the causes of disease; of course they should not be 
silenced and subdued, but aided. If, then, a febrile effort is in operation to 
remove some obstruction, the use of a diffusible stimulant, like finger, sage 
or catnip, in moderate quantities and with much water, will loosen and re- 
move the obstructions to regular action, and set the fever free, when it will 
equalize and diffuse itself, and disappear. Thus, that which will induce 
excitement, when used alone and in large measure, will, in smaller quantities, 
increase or diffuse an excitement already started by another cause; as catnip 
tea, which, when given strong, to a healthy person, exites a febrile, that is, 
an increased physiological action, will, when given in weak dilution, aid an 
already excited action or fever to remove obstructions and to equalize and 
diffuse itself, in bringing up to the standard of full health, the action of the 
parts debilitated. Now it is apparently true, that, in this case, " similia 
similibus curantur," that is, a febrile action is dispersed partly by the aid 
of an agent (catnip) which, given in large doses, would excite the system 
to a moderate febrile action. 



144 HOMEOPATHY EXAMINED, 

But the error consists in this, that the fever is not the disease, neither is 
its subsidence the cure. Fever is the accumulated action of the vital force, 
when its equilibrium is opposed by the presence or action of the causes of 
disease, or roused by the remedial agent, and the disease removed is the dis- 
tention and excitability of the arterial capillaries, and the collapse and in- 
capability of expansion, of the absorbents. Thus direct homeological (not 
pathic) cures, are made whenever innocent and sanative remedies, like cat- 
nip, sage, balm, pennyroyal, ginger, <fcc, are given; but, when poisons, 
as aconite, belladonna, opium and mercury are given, the cure, if it follow, 
is effected by the reaction of the system against the combined influence of 
the causes of the disease, and the drug administered to cure it; and this 
cure should be represented or expressed thus: Two enemies, if their com- 
bined influence is not so great as to overcome the object of their injurious 
attacks, are more likely than either one alone to provoke that injured opponent 
to a resolute exertion to remove them both, and get rid of their annoyance. 

504 b. The Homeopathic system, like the Allopathic, pronounces fever, 
&c, disease, and legion, and aims at its destruction. Also, like the Allo- 
pathic, it uses promiscously and without discrimination both medicines and 
poisons to effect its objects. All the real difference, then, between these 
rival systems, consists in the quantity of the doses recommended and pre- 
scribed, (which neither has any definite, established law to regulate), and the 
manner of preparing and administring their remedies; their diet, regimen, 
<fcc. Hence the mother should be tender with her infant daughter, who ex- 
hibits in small measure her defects, and the daughter should not be saucy to 
her mother from whom she has derived her living and support. 

504 c. ^Disease is not, according to Hahnemann, disturbed vital action 
(§ 11), fbr that exists as a consequence of every physiological motion of 
the body. But disease is that condition which deprives the vital principle 
of the power to restore its equilibrium of action. Health is the capability 
of the organs of maintaining an equilibrium of vital action (Org., § 9), not 
the mere equilibrium itself, which is not constant in health, and may often 
for a time, exist in disease. 

Cause of disease. — As the derangements of vital action are not disease 
(§ 11), so the vital principle cannot be the direct cause of any disease, how- 
ever its derangements or misdirections may contribute to that end, (§ 12). 

The true causes of disease are those "morbific agents" which "derange the 
equilibrium" of vital action. 

Before Homeopathists will be able to explain their absurd principles, that 
a cause of a disease is the proper agent to cure a similar one, and that a 
weaker power, under the same circumstances, can overcome a strong one, 
(rejected by many), they must correct their error in regard to the essence 
of disease and its causes, and must prefer always the correct definition of 
health in Org. § 9, to the false one frequently presented, that it is the mere 
equilibrium of action, instead of organic power to act. Here, as elsewhere, 
it is seen that this "fever disease" error lies at the bottom, — is the very basis 
of all the other errors, absurdities, mysteries and mischiefs, of all the sys- 
tems of practice save the physio-medical which alone rejects it. 

505. The -power of small doses. — Much unjust ridicule is cast, by many, 
on the pretended power of infinitesimal doses of medicine. But that power 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 145 

is often manifested to the most stupid observer. How great a dose of cam- 
phor, ammonia, musk, chloroform, &c, does it require to produce the 
most powerful effects, when inhaled? Yet one can take, internally, a con- 
siderable quantity of these agents in a concentrated form, without feel- 
ing their effects. Why? Must it not be because, in their concentrated 
forms, all their atoms can not act at once? If small doses were sufficiently 
diluted to pervade the whole volume of blood in the system, would they not 
act as powerfully as they do when inhaled? Who does not know that one 
small cayenne pill when infused in a quart of water, will warm the system 
or promote perspiration, better than a teaspoonfull in its concentrated form? 
Or that the simple smelling of warm lobelia tea, will often relax the system 
sufficiently to excite the "reaction" of emesis? Who does not know that 
chemical actions are more prompt and violent, when the substances are re- 
duced, to fine powder or weak solutions? It is true that, being more speedily 
spent, their effects are more evanescent; but this is often no objection to a 
medicine; as, in many cases, a prompt and powerful action is all that is 
wanted; the vital system maintaining the action once set up. When a mod- 
erate but permanent action is required, it is evident that the pill or concen- 
trated dose, or, what is better, if it can be done, a frequent repetition of the 
diffused dose, is required; but this large or small dose, and the reasons for it, 
belong as well to Allopathy or any other system, as to Homeopathy. It 
is not the quantity given but the modus operandi, that constitutes Home- 
opathy; and that is the same, whatever be the quantity, (Org., § 32). 

505 b. Although most Homeopathists contend that "the high potencies" 
as they are called, meaning the most numerous dilutions, are generally the 
most suitable, yet they admit that, in some cases quite large and tangible 
doses are required, and they administer accordingly. 

It is not the quantity of medicine administered, but its supposed modus 
operandi that constitutes Homeopathy. 

Still, it is contended that, whatever, in any quantity and concentrated 
form, will produce, in a well man, those deranged vital actions (Org., § 11), 
which they call disease, will, in a sick one, when administered in very small 
quantities and properly diluted and diffused, affect a cure. They contend 
that nearly all simple agents possess at least two properties, one pathogenetic 
(disease making) and the other curative. The over dose being more than 
is wanted, produces more excitement than is wanted, which overcomes and 
prostrates — and is therefore injurious: the proper quantity, producing just 
the degree of excitement wanted, proves beneficial and does not exhaust. 
This is true of all good things; food, caloric, electricity, exercise, air, water, 
medicines (not poisons) of every kind. But this does not prove that any of 
these agents possess two qualities. The character of all the action being the 
same (Org., §11) the nature of the cause that produces it, must be the same. 
The disease that follows the action of good agents must be ascribed to 
other causes, than the character of those agents. 

506. Homeopathists themselves do not seem to understand this subject, 
any better than their opponents do, or we should not see them engaged in 
giving for the same purposes, substances of diametrically opposite qualities 
and actions; and hear them declare that the quietus that follow their admin- 
istration, is produced by the action of these agents, according to the prin- 
ciple "similia similibus curaniur." 

10 



146 HOMEOPATHY EXAMINED, 

There may be a cure of similar symptoms, but it is not effected by the 
action of the dissimilar agents as opium and digitalis, and ginger and 
cayenne. It is effected by the vital power in opposition to the one class of 
agents and in harmony with the other. 

507. The fact is, in the case of the opium nature feels the action of some 
cause tending to disturb her equilibrium, and to deprive her of the power to 
restore it. In making a proper resistance to this foreign invasion, she -mani- 
fests certain signs or symptoms. Now, if we give her a medicine which, 
when she is in health, induces her to make like efforts and exhibit like symp- 
toms, it may aid her in accomplishing her object, and a very small portion 
of such medicine being often sufficient, is better than a large one; (for it is 
evident that more of even a good excitement than is necessary, tending to 
exhaust the vital force, is objectionable.) But poisons of any description, 
whose legitimate action is in opposition to life, are objectionable, even in the 
smallest dose — the atomic pill, if one could be made; because, in this case, 
the system must act against two enemies instead of one, and without a friend 
to aid her. She must fight the cause of the disease and the remedy, instead 
of the former with the aid of the latter. This she often does successfully, 
and thus Allopathists, Homeopath ists, and all other "fever disease" advo- 
cates, are deceived into the false notion that poisons are "good medicines in 
skillful hands;" and because medicines may be improperly used, as to 
character, quantity, time, and circumstances, they become "poisons when 
unskillfully applied." 

508. From this it appears that all supposed simple medicinal substances 
act either pathogenetically or curatively; but that none act in both ways; the 
pathogenetic effects that follow the use of physio-medical agents, being 
properly attributable to the misuse or abuse of the remedies, not to the nature 
or properties of the remedies themselves. The pathogenetic effects of poi- 
sons, are the results of their direct actions in opposition to the indications of 
the vital symptoms in the given case: but the curative effects are produced 
by the vital force and against the "remedy." Thus, when a solution of 
tannin is used to stop hemorrhage, or warm lobelia tea to remove obstruc- 
tions to the natural secretions, the action is in direct harmony with the vital 
efforts, the disease being cured and no injury resulting. 

But reverse these same remedies in the two cases, and the result would be 
bad, in both, from the abuse, not the nature of the remedies. On the 
other hand, suppose we attempt to stop the hemorrhage with acetate of lead, 
and to promote the secretions with mercury. The vital force may in warring 
against the poisonous agents, effect the cure; but the direct tendency of the 
agents is to deprive the tissues of the power to perform their physiological 
offices; and they do it, so far as they do any thing. For these effects, thus 
cured, are very apt to return with greater violence, and to be less controllable 
than before. 

To their inability to appreciate the action of the vital force in both cases, 
is therefore justly attributable the inability of all physopathical, or fever 
disease doctors, of every name, to distinguish between medicines and poi- 
sons; also their disposition to pronounce food poisonous when not demanded 
by nature in the case; and lastly to say that nothing is poisonous except by 
quantity and injudicious use, while the venom of the rattlesnake may be 
made a good medicine by judicious use. Here is the "error of errors," 



CKITCISED AND CORRECTED. 147 

the basis of all their "ignorance of disease, and of a suitable remedy." 
Homeopathists differ from others only in the amount of the power they use 
to "multiply diseases and increase their mortality," and their better diet and 
regimen. 

539 a. I have now so far cut loose the Homeopathist from his blind and 
slavish submission to his apparent facts, that he puts to me a "stumping 
question." " You admit, says he, that a large dose of lobelia will produce 
vomiting and a very small one will stop it. Now explain this fact on any 
other principle than the Homeopathic action of lobelia." 

I will. In the first place, lobelia never produces vomiting at all, in any 
dose, large or small. It is a pure relaxant, and does nothing else to the vital 
tissue but relax it. When there is given a dose large enough to produce 
a degree of relaxation beyond what is for the time pleasant to the nerves of 
the stomach, &c, they call the aid of the muscles concerned in vomiting to 
react against that relaxation, and this is often done so promptly and effectu- 
ally as to eject the other contents of the stomach, when the relaxing influ- 
ence of lobelia is felt and opposed, again and again, till its power is no 
greater than the system demands. At this point, the relaxing influence of 
lobelia is universally diffused through the system, and perspiration takes 
place, and so do all other secretions flow; excretions are effected, dryness of 
the nose, mouth, lungs, eyes, ears, and surface vanishes, — dysuria, biliary 
obstructions, constipation, asthma, cramp, rheumatism, in short irritation, 
spasm, fever and inflammation, in every part of the body, and all derangement 
of the vital action vanish. 

509 b. With a dose of lobelia, I have cured at the same time, in many a 
case, dysuria, dysmenorrhea, strangury and hysteria. Is lobelia a Homeo- 
pathic specific for all these varied, opposite and specific conditions? ("dis- 
eases"?) or are all these "diseases" a unit? or did it, by the simple process 
of relaxation, relieve the vital force from bondage, and enable it to cure them 
all? I beg pardon, we must "not reason as on other subjects," but practice 
according to "provings" with some of those contradictory agents whose use 
has been known to be followed by a cure. 

"But," says the objector, "it stops vomiting when given in an infinitesi- 
mal dose, — how do you explain that?" "Very scientifically. In the cases 
in which lobelia, in minute doses, stops vomiting, the cause of that vomiting 
is not always an offensive agent in the stomach, but is frequently a mere ir- 
ritated condition, which a proper quantity of lobelia's relaxing influence 
will allay. That amount is not always the highest nor the lowest "potency," 
the 1st, the 10th nor the 30th dilution. It is just enough to meet the de- 
mands of the present case. Sometimes with a single snuff of the vapor of 
weak, warm lobelia tea, I have relieved the spasm in cough or dry asthma, 
with three drops of such tea I have stopped vomiting and relieved cramps 
and spasms, in cholera, and, with a table spoonfull of the powder in water 
I have arrested the same symptoms in parturition. In all these cases it 
acted homeologically, or in harmony with life, for even the vomiting was a 
physiological action deranged, which the lobelia equalized. In some cases, 
small doses are wanted, because there is little resistance to be overcome. In 
other cases, as the parturition, and some severe ones of cramp, cerebral inflam- 
mation, <fec, large doses will be needed to overcome the extra tension, and re- 
duce the tissues to the natural standard. In parturition, the relaxing power 



148 

is all spent in dilating the cervix uteri to the required degree, while the re- 
action is spent upon the fundus, and other tissues which, being for the time, 
more impressible than the stomach, spend it in their efforts to expel the fetus. 

509 c. Action of Medicines. The idea that medicines act in one manner 
for Homeopathists, and in another for Allopathists, is too silly to be enter- 
tained a moment. They might be more properly applied by the one than the 
other. But it is not a fact that they are. There is scarcely a form of disease 
in which both clases of doctors do not use all sorts of drugs, good and bad; 
and generally the same articles to a great extent. Look at the Homeopathic 
Repertories, and see where there is an acute symptom that does not demand 
aconite, belladonna, nux vomica, <fcc, and see these beside capsicum, asa- 
rum, arsenic, antimony, alum, opium, with a hundred more articles equally 
dissimilar in character, each of which Hahnemann justly says (§32) acts in 
a specific manner, and always in the same manner as recommended by Okie, 
for "itching in general/' " 

But "the stubborn fact stares us in the face, that these have been known 
to cure it." Well let us look at this supposed fact. Ghosts will not hurt us. 
Suppose that cures do follow the use of cayenne and opium, alum, nux vom- 
ica, mercury and belladonna, asarum and arsenic, are they the legitimate 
results of the specific action of these dissimilar agents? Did any one ever see 
alum relax a tissue and belladonna astringe it ? Will capsicum, just as well 
as opium, destroy the power to feel itching? Do nux vomica and mercury 
act on the same principle? Will asarum and arsenic cure the ague on the same 
principle? Ought not the most thoughtless observer to perceive that, when 
cures follow the use of such heterogeneous agents, it is because they all excite 
the system to the performance of its own specific actions, which cure in har- 
mony with some agents and in opposition to others? and therefore to select 
the good, or those whose actions "gradually diminish till they terminate in 
health," and reject those whose actions begin, like sedatives, or end like mer- 
cury, by destroying health, in opposition to the vital efforts to defend the 
organism against their specific action? Even those non-discriminating dis- 
criminators, called Eclectics, have perceived that the "secondary effect" (real, 
specific, destructive), of mercury, are worse than those (sedative) of opium, 
provided that the latter are not so great as to kill at once. But they have 
stupidly contended, with the Homeopathists, that, in small doses, opium 
changes its specific, pathogenetic and destructive nature to a curative. And 
so of many other deadly poisons. 

509 d. In cases of simple irritated stomach, a large dose of cayenne, or of 
bayberry, or of any other direct stimulant or astringent, will excite vomit- 
ing. Why is it that even "the highest potency of the same agents will 
rather increase than allay it?" This is a fact that has been "proved "a 
thousand times by myself alone, and I know not how many times by others. 
Why will sulphate of copper or zinc, though of the highest potency, not 
allay the irritation, when we know that in large doses it will excite it? 
Does the Homeopathic law fail here? If so, it is not true, for laws always act in 
the same manner. Cohesive attraction was never known to split a rock, nor 
caloric to condense charcoal into a diamond, gravitation to send a bullet up- 
ward, nor magnetism to arrange a balanced needle parallel with the equator. 
Why should the life power produce death, or poisons cure disease? Are these 
questions too "theoretical" for Homeopathic philosophy? If so, / will 



CRITICISED AJsD CORRECTED. 149 

answer them. It is the peculiar specific property of cayenne to stimulate, that 
is, to excite action, and of astringents to contract; of course neither of them 
will produce that relaxation which is necessary to relieve an irritated stomach, 
no matter how small the dose. But their use is improper in this case, be- 
cause their specific action is not wanted. A Homeopathist would call their 
action pathogenetic. If the stomach were relaxed and inactive, they would 
be demanded, and would prove curative. Would their character or action 
be changed by these circumstances? 

509 e. The copper and zinc (alias blue stone and white vitriol) excite 
vomiting in this case, and any other where there is impressibility to recognize 
them and power to react against them, and this they do in small doses as well 
as in large. "But," says my Homeopathic friend, "it may have been 
"proven" that the highest potency of these agents has allayed irritation and 
vomiting." To please you I will admit this as a fact, though I believe it to 
be an error, notwithstanding you or I may have seen the appearance of it a 
thousand times. I know it to be an error, because these agents, in atoms as 
well as masses, possess an astringent power, and no relaxing power, which is 
indispensable to the relief of the irritation; the latter being caused by contrac- 
tion of the tissue. Whence, then, comes the relief? Let us see. You 
dilute your astringent with water, so that the stomach cannot appreciate its 
specific action. You administer this water in small doses frequently repeated, 
till it absorbs the irritating caloric generated by the excitement of the stomach, 
when it relaxes the tissue a hundred times as much as your infinitessimal dose 
of the astringent would contract it. The irritation is allayed by the water, 
not the zinc or copper, which never, in any case or quantity, tend to allay 
irritation. And here is explained the real fact as you understand it 
the manifest absurdity, that "the higher the potency (the less of an agent) 
the better." But you say, "then the cayenne and astringents are improper." 
They are improperly applied, and we never use them in such cases. 

Again you say, "If they would do harm in such cases, they are as poison 
as zinc or copper." I answer, we "prove" that they kill no man, nor make 
any well man sick, while our Allopathic friends have often proved, and so 
would you if y:u had used enough of them, that the very nature of the poisons 
is to do both. You ask how I know that tannin contracts the stomach? I 
answer, it contracts the mucous membrane of my mouth, which is made of 
the same material. 

509/. You ask how I know that tannin is not poison? Because I have 
both chewed it much, (in birch-bark, choke-cherries, <fcc.,) and seen others 
do it, and never knew it to produce a pathological condition. 

Again you ask, "Why is Homeopathy so much more successful in curing 
disease than Allopathy?" I answer, first, because it never cures at all with 
poisons, because, to make a disease, whether similar or dissimilar, is not to 
cure one. But more patients recover under the former treatment than under 
the latter, because it does less mischief with poisons, and more good with 
medicines, diet, regimen, &c. It not only applies the rod very sparingly, 
but, by its multiplied and constant kindnesses and encouragements, enables 
them triumphantly to bear it. 

Again you ask, "Why, then, is not Homeopathy worthy of all acceptation?' ' 
I answer, because it retains fundamental errors in principle, perpetrates in- 
finitesimal mischiefs in practice, and neglects to apply with a liberal hand 



150 IlOMEOrATHY EXAMINED, 

the means in its power to do good. Homeopathy is a delicate and ignorant 
but amiable little girl, but I hope that, with the instructions here given her, 
she will cast off her errors, lay aside her wrong doings, grasp with a firmer 
faith her truths, and practice with a more vigorous hand her right ways, till 
she shall become so intelligent and vigorous as to be a worthy companion 
and help-meet to her more motive physio-medical brother, to which end I 
shall watch her course carefully, and claim a large share in the labor and 
the honor of her training. 

510. Truth and facts admit of rational explanation; whatever of Home- 
opathy or any other pathy will not admit of them, can not be true nor real. 

It will be said that, if I use lobelia homeopathically, I am a Homeopathist. 
I answer, I will as cheerfully receive a truth from Homeopathists as from any 
other source. But I use if homeologically to aid nature in curing the 
present disease, not homeopathically nor allopathically to produce a disease 
similar to the present, nor another disease of any kind. And I have shown 
that when the Homeopathists use it in the same cases and the same manner, 
he cures, as he says the Allopathists do diarrhea by physic, and sudoresis 
by sudorifics. The only difference between us all is, that, "not reasoning on 
medicine as on other subjects," (Harrison, Hanhemann, Hering, <fec.,) they 
know not what they do, but "go it blindly" with all sorts of agents, sometimes 
killing, sometimes curing; they that use the largest doses doing the greatest 
execution, while I, reasoning on medicine as I do on other subjects, have learned 
the character of remedies and the wants of the system, know what I should 
do; therefore always rejecting what is improper, and using what is good, 
adapting the agent and the dose, and the manner of application to the case 
before me, direct all my "exertions" to the heads of the disease to be re- 
moved, and cure all cases that are capable of cure. 

511. Artificial and Natural Disease. We are frequently told, by Home- 
opathists, that the disease produced by the medicine is slight and transient, 
while "the natural disease" is more severe and persistent. They seem to 
forget, at this moment, what they often tell us elsewhere, that "the natural 
disease" is often caused by the very medicines which they prescribe to cure 
it. Why should it be more severe and persistent, when taken by accident 
or given by Allopathists to cure disease, than when given by Homeopathists 
to cure it? Why should one be called artificial and the other natural ? 

512. They speak often of the "aggravations of disease," as being pro- 
duced by its causes, or by their medicines; and tell us that the latter will 
soon subside if we cease to administer, while the former are to be dreaded 
and speedily removed. Why should mercurialism, or narcotism, be any 
more dreaded when produced by Allopathists, than when produced by Ho- 
meopathists? It will not do to say that the former are more difficult to be 
removed than the latter; for, if so, they could not be cured or supplanted by 
the latter, and hence, the very foundation stone of Homeopathy would be 
crumbled to the dust — that a mild medicinal action can subdue a severe one 
not intentionally excited! 

513. The Goliahs of all these systems may fight as they will against these 
"theories," and him who has the "daring impudence" to boldly set them 
forth; but truth is stronger than they all, and he who seeks a shelter under 
her expanded, mighty wings, is best of all protected. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 151 

514. What, then, is the true lesson to be learned from all these facts? 
Evidently that, to cure disease, we should use the remedies whose specific 
qualities harmonize with the demands of nature in every given case, and 
use them in the quantities and all the different ways which she demands. 

Homeopathy has no more reason for giving poisons than has Allopathy or 
Physio-medicalism. 

515. The sum of the whole matter is this: In all cases of disease, Na- 
ture makes the proper efforts to relieve herself; consequently, whatever will 
aid her in these efforts, will be likely to cure the disease. Even whatever 
will maliciously provoke her to them, may be overruled to the same end; and 
hence, the similar results that follow the use of different drugs, of hygienic 
or pathogenetic agencies, led Hahnemann, as they ever have ihe rest of the 
Allopathic school, into the error of supposing that the agents themselves 
were similar. And from this mistake proceeded the Allopathic doctrine that 
medicines are good or bad according to the quantity or use; and the equally 
erroneous Homeopathic dogma, similia similibus curantur. 

It is only by knowing that substances are essentially different in their na- 
ture or constitution, that we know, a priori, before we try them, that they 
will produce different effects on the body; and, on the other hand, we know, 
by their different effects on the body, before we test them chemically, that 
they are different substances. In very many cases, as what are called isomeric 
bodies, or compounds, as the oil of turpentine, of bergamot, of lemons, &c; 
the physiological test is the only one by which we can distinguish any dif- 
ference. Substances very different, as ginger and alcohol, cayenne and 
opium, may excite the system to action; but it is only those whose action 
passes off physiologically, and leaves no ill effect behind, that are innocent. 

The Good of Homeopathy. No system of unmingled error and mischief, 
can ever be palmed upon a general public credulity and favor. Man never 
was so perfectly depraved that he could be made to believe a palpable lie, or 
love unmitigated evil. Whatever would gain our faith and favor must present 
prominently, something, at least apparently, true and good. And such, to some 
extent, has every popular system of medicine presented. The Homeopathic 
system presents a large share of those excellencies that commend it deservedly 
to public favor, the most of which I proceed to cite. 

First. Negatively. Though its errors in principle are of the same nature 
as those of Allopathy (56), the practice built upon them is comparatively 
harmless. Poison, indeed, it uses, and on the Allopathic principle, (for a 
similar disease (omoion pathos) is another disease (alios pathos); but, in 
quantities so small that the system scarcely acknowledges their presence, or 
even recognizes it, while its directions for diet and regimen, air, exercise, 
&c, are excellent, and worthy to be adopted, almost wholly, by practitioners 
and patients of every faith. 

Second. It is a practice easily prescribed, and pleasant to be taken, and 
its operation is nearly imperceptible. Of course it meets little opposition 
from the patient or the public. 

Third. Although its principle, "similia similibus curantur," is false, (for 
the medicines are not similar, neither are the vital symptoms — fever, &c, — 
the disease to be cured), yet the cure is often effected on truly scientific 
principles which the doctor does not understand : for it matters not whether 
he knows the nature of the disease or the character and adaptation of his 



152 HOMEOPATHY EXAMINED, ETC. 

remedies, provided he happens to use in the proper manner the remedies 
required. 

Fourth. By doing little or nothing to disturb nature, it gives her an 
opportunity to do all she can for herself. 

Fifth. By inducing the patient to believe that the medicines are powerful, 
and the most useful when followed by no other perceptible effect than a 
gradual diminution of the unpleasant symptoms, it converts every feeling of 
real relief into an encouragement to expect more, the beneficial action of 
which is almost sure to secure them. 

Sixth. It generally avoids the error of over-dosing, which is too common 
among all other classes of physicians, and of entailing much mischief on so- 
ciety by the action, whether primary or secondary, of its poisonous drugs. 

Seventh. When it shall cast off its " fever disease" doctrine, and conse- 
quently all its errrors of similia similibus curantur, and all its poisonous 
drugs, it may then, and not before, claim the true standard of medical 
science and practice. 

Hahnemann. From all that I have read of the writings of Hahnemann, I 
am disposed to rank him among the most honest and conscientious of Medi- 
cal Reformers. I have shown that, contrary to the accusation of his ardent 
admirer, Dudgeon, he did not allow even his strong love of consistency to 
prevent him from presenting facts apparently inconsistent; nor to compel 
him to force all forms of disease into either of his classes of dynamic or of 
psoric origin. His followers will do better to search out some means of ex- 
plaining his well presented facts, than to accuse him of inconsistency, or dis- 
honesty in presenting them. Though his theory and his practice will be 
greatly modified, yet so much of both will be found worthy of preservation, 
that his labors will not very soon be forgotten. He was a real benefactor 
of his species. Long may he live in their grateful remembrance. 



THE CHRONO-THERMAI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE. 



This medical system was devised by Dr. Samuel Dickson, of London. 
It is published in a work entitled "Fallacies of the Faculty and Principles 
of the Chrono-T hernial System of Medicine " 13th edition, New York, 1850. 
Introduction and notes by Dr. Wm. Turner. 

From this work I derive the following : 

516. "Fifteen years ago it was my fate — I can scarce call it my for- 
tune — to make two most important discoveries in medicine, viz: the perio- 
dicity of movement of every organ and atom of all living bodies, a, and the 
intermittency and unity of all diseases, b, however named and by whatever 
produced. To these two add a third, the unity of action of cause and cure, 
c, both of which involve change of temperature," d. Pref. p. 5. 

a. The heart moves periodically; so the chest in respiration, the stomach 
in digestion; the senses waking and sleeping, and the voluntary muscles in 
their action, &c. Doubtless, too, the most of "the atoms of living bodies" 
move periodically: but the periods of some of these movements are as long 
as life itself — witness those that retain the stains of the letters and figures on 
the arms of sailors, Indians, <fec. So do those that retain constitutional pre- 
dispositions. 

b. Here we have the old error of disease consisting in an act, instead of 
a condition, and that act, one of the nerves and blood vessels moved by 
the vital force, of course it is one; and, as the organs must have repose 
sometimes, it must be "intermittent," though that of the circulation is a 
perpetual succession of action and reaction. Is this idea new? 

c. This doctrine was advanced by Hahnemann, (Org., § 12). It is also 
Thomson's fever unity doctrine, under the name of friend, instead of dis- 
ease. Not new! 

d. All the world has always known that every motion disturbs the equi- 
librium of caloric. There is, therefore, above, no new discovery, but there 
are three old errors, a, b and c. For Dr. D. himself quotes, from Hippoc- 
rates, the doctrine of the unity and periodicity of disease (ix. 25), and adds 
that posterity will award this discovery to himself! Drs. Brown, Rush, 
Alibert, and hosts of others, taught the unity of disease in the same sense as 
did Hippocrates and Dickson. Dr. Turner should know better than to call 
it "Dr. Dickson's new doctrine," p. xvi. 

517. "2. Such is the ground work of the Chrono-Thermal System, so called 
from Chronos, time or period ; and Therma, temperature or heat. This I 

(153) 



154: CHKONO-THERMALISM, 

gave to the public in 1836. Then, for the first time, I announced the ap- 
palling fa';t that up to that hour the Professors of the healing art had been, 
to a man, in all but utter darkness on the subject they pretended to teach," 
p. vi. (7, 22, 26). 

In this discovery and announcement, Dr. Dixon was centuries behind 
his Allopathic brethren, see the first fifty pages of this work, where Dr. D. 
is completely outstripped by "startling revelations" and professional "thun- 
der-bolts." 

518. "3. The lancet and the leech must hereafter give way to bark and 
tonics, even in inflammation of the chest," p. vii. 

If his doctrine that inflammation is disease, were true, this using bark and 
tonics would be a murderous practice, and the lancet would be the best rem- 
edy ever discovered. 

519. "4. Forms of disease change, types are immutable," p. vii. 
"From the beginning of time there never was a continual disease — a con- 
tinual tempest of the human body," p. viii. 

Predicated on the doctrine that irritation, fever and inflammation, are dis- 
ease, this would be true; but, as that doctrine has been proved false, the truth 
is just the reverse. There never was a disease begun, that did not continue, 
without intermission, till cured, or relieved by death. The reactions of the 
system against obstructions, are periodical, because, as Prof. Jones has dis- 
covered (385), they are of vital origin, and must have rest; but disease is a 
mechanical or a chemical condition that needs no rest, and the system has 
none but by its removal! The pain and soreness of a boil may intermit, but 
do the swelling and lesion cease till the boil is cured? Do the lungs in 
phthisis become sound and corroded periodically during the progress of the 
disease? Does white swelling cease when the inflammation and pain cease? 

520. "5. Dr. Dickson says: "The modus or type, of Hippocrates, is 
fever and ague, or intermittent fever," p. 24. 

Dr. Turner says: "The following are the conclusions to which Dr. Dick- 
son arrives on the subject of health and disease." 

"1st. The phenomena of perfect health consist in a regular series of alter- 
nate motions or events, each embracing a special period of time," Pref. p. ix. 

The phenomena, signs, or evidences of health, are not health itself; and, 
if they were, they embrace no special period of time. The mental manifest- 
ations, the secretions and excretions, though periodical, are not, even in 
perfect health, limited to special minutes or hours. Nothing new here. 

521. "2. Disease, under all its modifications, is, in the first place, a sim- 
ple exaggeration or diminution of the amount of the same motions or events, 
and, being universally alternative with a period of comparative health, strictly 
resolves itself into fever — remittent or intermittent, chronic or acute — every kind 
of structural disorganization, from tooth decay to pulmonary consumption, 
and that decomposition of the knee joint, familiarly known as white swelling, 
being merely developments in its course: tooth-consumption, lung-consump- 
tion, knee-consumption." 

This is the some old fever-disease doctrine with which we have become so 
familiar; also the sthenic and asthenic doctrine of Brown and Rush, and the 
unity and type of Hippocrates. Nothing new here. 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 155 

522. "3. The tendency to disorganization, usually denominated acute or 
inflammatory, differs from the chronic or scrofulous, in the mere amount of 
motion or temperature, the former being more remarkably characterized by 
excess of both, consequently exhibits a more rapid progress to decomposition 
or cure; while the latter approaches its respective terminations [decomposi- 
tion or cure] by more subdued, and therefore slower and less obvious 
terminations of the same action and temperature. In what does consump- 
tion of a toothache differ from consumption of the lungs? except in the 
differences of the tissue involved, and the degree of danger to life arising 
out of the nature of the respective offices of each," p. ix, x. 

Dr. D. here puts together Professors Paine and Watson's two notions (41 
And 45; 40 and 44), and makes inflammation both disease and a healing ac- 
tion — "tending to disorganization or cure." Yet he calls it a unit. How 
can a unit of power tend both to life and death? Nothing new or reforma- 
tory here. 

523. "The remedies used, Dr. Dickson terms Chrono- Thermal, from the 
relations which they bear to time and temperature.' ' 

A most strange idea! Medicines are not living animals that their power 
should become weary, and should vascilate with certain periods of time! 
Nor can temperature do more than prepare the system and them, for a more 
perfect exhibition of the power they always inherently possess. 

"They are all treated of in the various works on materia medica. The 
only agents this system rejects, are the leech, the bleeding lancet and the cup- 
ping instrument." 

Then it differs from "American Eclecticism," only in rejecting leeches 
and cups, and retaining antimony, arsenic and mercury, and Dr. Dickson 
must be fraternized by them, and not called to answer for his. opinion or his 
presumption, (398). 

524. "Other distinguished features of the Chrono-Thermal System, are, 
first, a demonstration of the fallacious character of the ideas entertained by 
the profession in reference to inflammation and conjestion, those fruitful 
sources of error. 2d, That calomel is no longer in the first rank. 3d, That 
all medicines are given generally in minute doses; and 4th, That all medi- 
cines act primarily on the brain, and thence, electrically or magnetically, 
through the system," xi. 

Dr. Dickson is not the only man who has shown many "fallacies of the 
faculty" respecting fever and inflammation, and then built his whole system 
of reform on these same fallacies. What is the difference between the con- 
clusions of Professors Watson and Paine, (40, 41, 44, 45), and Dr. D.'s 
inflammation terminating in decomposition or cure (5)? Thousands of 
Allopathists have driven mercury and the lancet, not only from the first 
place, but almost out of any place in their therapeutics; and, lastly, Dr. D. 
does not equal Hahnemann in minute dose reform, nor James Graham in 
electric therapeutics. 

525. "Disease being thus simplified, it is amenable to a principle of treat- 
ment equally simple. Partaking, through all its modifications, of the nature 
of ague, it will be met by a practice in accordance with the proper principle 
of treatment of that distemper. To apply warmth or administer cordials, 
in the cold stage; in the hot, to reduce the amount of temperature by cold 



156 CHRONO-TIIEEMALISM, 

affusion and fresh air; or, for the same purpose, to exhibit, according to cir- 
cumstances, an emetic, a purgative, or both in combination. With quinine, 
arsenic, opium, &c, the interval of comparative health, the period of medi- 
um temperature, may be prolonged to an indefinite period; and, in that 
manner, health may be restored in all diseases, whether, from some spinal 
local development, the disease be denominated mania, epilepsy, croup, cyn- 
anche, the gout, or influenza. In the early stages of disease, to arrest the 
fever is, in most instances, sufficient for the reduction of every kind of local 
development," xi. 

526. ''Disease is neither a devil, nor an acrimony nor a crudity to be 
expelled, nor any fanciful goblin to be chemically neutralized; but an error 
of action [irritation, fever, inflammation], of which inflammation is not so 
commonly a cause as a coincident part," p. 31. "The difference between 
disease and health, consists in mere variation of the sum or amount of partic- 
ular corporeal motions; and in difference in the effect of external agency on 
the matter and functions of the body." "The cause of all diseases, varied 
in name, place, and degree, one only in their real nature, is either a depriva- 
tion or a wrong adaptation of the identical forces which continue life in 
health." This is Hahnemann's doctrine, (Org., § 6 to 12). 

" The unity or identity of all morbid action" (is fever); and the unity and 
identity of the source of power, of the various agencies by which diseases 
of every kind may be caused or cured" (is electricity). Hippocrates said: 
"The type of all disease is one and identical," p. 24; "and from this, you 
may learn the absurdity of nosological distinctions," p. 23 (40 to 45). 

527. Here, as in Allopathy, the disease is the chill and the fever, and opi- 
um and quinine are the remedies. No improvement in the principle and 
very little in the practice. As to simplicity, it does not compare at all with 
Allopathy! which may be expressed in a very few words, viz: "Irritation, 
fever, and inflammation are diseases, and opium, the lancet, and mercury are 
the remedies, aided by blisters, cups, setons, and poisons in general." 

These remedies are not, like Dr. D.'s, variable in their character and liable 
to fail. They have no "dual action." They are "adapted to the cure of 
'those diseases.' " and will never fail if the practitioner only gives enough 
of them ! All the failures are caused by stopping the practice before the 
diseases are subdued ! Who can ask for a system more simple, or more 
easily learned or practiced than the Allopathic ? 

528. Remedies. "Peruvian bark, quinine, in fact its essence, arsenic and 
opium,, hydrocyanic acid, iron, silver, copper, strychnia, musk, assafoetida, 
valerian, colchicum, zinc, bismuth, turpentine, and there are doubtless others 
in nature, which time and accident may yet discover." " These agents are 
generally most effective when taken during the intermission," 36, 114. 

"The principle upon which these substances can cure or cause disease, is 
one and the same, viz: their power of electrically altering the motive state 
and thermal conditions of certain parts of the body." Quinine is "generally 
the most efficient of all remedies." 

529. " There is no substance in nature that may not be turned to good 
account by the wise and judicious physician," 28. "Poison signifies any 
thing in nature that, in a comparatively small quantity, can shorten or 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 157 

otherwise prove injurious to life. It is a term of relation, depending entirely 
on degree, volume, or scale. What is there in nature that, tried by this test, 
may not become a poison? Poison and physic are identical, for any earthly 
agent may become both, by turns, according as it is used or abused. Every 
thing depends on the scale or degree in which you apply a given substance 
to the body, whether it be a remedy or a poison," 181. 

This is the Allopathic, the Homeopathic and the Eclectic doctrine. See 
index and references. 

530. Action of Remedies. Dr. Dickson attributes all the action of exter- 
nal agents on the body, to their power to excite electrical changes in that 
body. "The action of these medicinal substances, is purely electrical," p. 
184. " The primitive agency of the purely medicinal substances, is one and 
the same, namely, the power of electrically moving some of the various parts 
or atoms of the body, inwards or outwards, according to the previous state of 
the vital electricity of the brain of the different individuals to whom they may 
be administered. For, through the medium of the brain and nerves, do all 
such substances primarily act. The ultimate and apparently unlike results 
of the action of the different substances, depend entirely on the apparent dis- 
similarity of the functions of the organs they respectively influence," p. 184. 

"If electricity can produce, take away and reverse the polarity of the needle, 
so also can it give, take away and reverse every one of the particular func- 
tions and motions of the various parts of the living body, to which it may, 
under particular circumstances, be applied," 184. 

531. As each special agent either increases or diminishes electric force, 
and as the derangements (that is, increase or diminution from the healthy 
quantum), of this force constitute disease, (35), Dr. D. teaches that every 
agent may produce or cure disease, according as it is adapted to the particu- 
lar state present, (which he ascertains by cautious trials of small quantities 
of each article till he finds the one adapted, p. 209). Thus he says, "Elec- 
tricity is the source of power by which opium and arsenic kill and cure, and 
by precisely the same power mercury salivates, antimony vomits, and rhubarb 
purges, and may all produce the reverse effects," 184. 

532. How strangely a smart man will allow himself to be led into the 
grossest blunders when striving to bolster up a favorite hobby! He asserts 
that there are no specific remedies, but admits the fact that "opium and 
strychnia manifest a choice of parts — the elective power of one substance be- 
ing shown by its influence on the nerves of sense, and that of another by its 
effect on the muscular apparatus, " 185. 

533. But this raised a difficulty of accounting for the fact that "opium 
sometimes vomits and sometimes allays vomiting — sometimes produces sleep 
and sometimes prevents it," (186). This would require the different parts 
of the nervous system to be in different states (positive and negative) at the 
the same time, (which every school boy knows is impossible)! and hence he 
adds : "How cautious you ought to be in every new case of disease for which 
you may be consulted; and how necessary it is to exercise all your powers of 
circumspection in practice ! When you prescribe medicines of any kind, 
you ought to feel your way (No. 22) with the smallest doses from which you 
might, from your experience, expect an appreciable effect, whether for good or 



158 CHROKO-TRERMALISM, 

evil; for, remember, not only do all medicines occasionally manifest a differ- 
ent elective affinity from that which they usually exercise, but even when they 
act in their more ordinary course, they have still the double power of attrac- 
tion and repulsion — of aggravating or alleviating the symptoms for which you 
prescribe. Indeed, by this duality of movement — attraction and repulsion, 
and no other — we are compelled to ascribe every change which the body 
assumes, whether in health or disease," 186. 

534. This assumes that every substance in nature (181) is electrically 
either positive or negative, or both! to the human body, and positive to 
some parts and negative to others, (p. 191), when it is well known that, 
whatever be the quantum of electricity in the body at any one time, it is 
always equal in all parts. 

But suppose the doctrine were true, (and it is so nearly true that we wish it 
were quite), why so necessary to be always cautious in selecting the remedy? 
Could it not be ascertained which articles are always positive or always nega- 
tive, and when the body requires one and when the other; and thus we 
might adapt, scientifically, the one to the other, and not always practice 
empyricism, as in cases 48, 49, 52, 53, 61, 109, 186? 

535. Dr. Dickson counts disease a derangement of the electrical conditions 
of the brain, and through it of the organs, and assumes that all medicines are 
either positive or negative to those conditions,(196), and therefore produce 
their curative or pathogenetic effect by their proper or improper application 
in each case. 

He contends that these elective conditions are continually changing, pro- 
ducing the phenomenona called intermittency or periodicity, and that, there- 
fore, the specific remedy for one state, should be substituted by others, as 
the progress of the electric changes demands. That the present state is 
known only by trial, (p. 209); and, therefore, in every case, begin cautiously 
with the least appreciably effective dose, and change as soon as it dues not 
produce the desired result, p. 186. 

536. Thus he gives to every medicinal substance what he calls a duplexity 
of action, sometimes one way, sometimes the other, and sometimes botli 
ways. "Iodine cuts both ways." " One way or the other according to the 
electric conditions of the brain," (191). Thus the electric state of the 
body, tvhich can not be known but by an experience of their effect upon it, deter- 
mines whether squill or digitalis prove aggravant or remedial," 192. 

" Colchicum, like all other medicinal agents, is a motive power; and, if it 
fail to move matter the right way, it must occasionally move it the wrong," 
(192). and thus "produce the very symptoms or effects it was given to cure." 
(See Homeopathy). So of the other remedies cited, p. 191. 

537. Chrono- Thermal Remedies. Bark, quinine, prussic acid, arsenic, opium 
and morphine, &c, are those that are supposed to destroy the "memory of 
the system" of the last chill, and make it forget to repeat the ague! 

Those that act on particular organs or tissues of the body, he supposes 
have some chemical affinity for those organs or tissues, and these he calls 
[not specifics, but] 

538. Symptomatic Remedies. Of these are, iodine for glandular affections; 
colchicum or guiac for rheumatism; squill or digitalis for dropsy; cantharides 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 159 

or copaiba for leucorrhea or gleet; squill for catarrh; purgatives for costive- 
ness; cardamoms, &c, for flatulency, (198), and mercury for glandular 
affections, &c, (72). To one or both of these classes of remedies, he 
supposes "everything in nature" to belong, 38. 

539. Dr. D.'s "Great Abstract Law'' is "Any given power applied in a 
particular degree and at particular periods, may cause, cure, aggravate or 
alleviate any given form of disease, according to the constitution of the par- 
ticular patient," 179. 

This is one of the absurdities and follies to which all men are driven who 
base their system on the false notion that fever is disease, (35). Alas for their 
common sense ! Comment on this great law is superfluous. Its absurdity 
can scarcely be rendered more apparent than it is. 

540. It is based upon the assumption, contrary to chemical and physiologi- 
cal demonstration, that medicines are all constituted alike, as to the elements 
of which they are composed; that they possess no inherent qualities and pro- 
duce no specific action on the system, — all the results of their presence 
depending on circumstances ! Opium and mercury may sometimes be 
removed from the system by an action which they provoke; but that is not 
their action. The only action produced by them is destruction of function 
and tissue ! which they always effect when not overruled by the superior 
force of vital defense. 

541. "It never seemed to enter the head of any medical writer before me, 
that these diseases have each something in common which establishes their 
unity of type. One remedy cures them all, and physicians either can not or 
will not see that the action of that remedy is only one — the motive power," 
(p. 194). If one remedy cures all, why run through all the catalogue? 

So that motive power is one but not electricity. How near you are to the 
truth, yet how far from it! 

542. When you give bark to continue the electric (vital) action during 
the interval, of febrile action, you do right, — for then its aid is needed. If 
you give it when the fever is on, you aid where that aid is not wanted; but, 
you do not "reverse the action," for you have justly said that all simple 
medicines possess but one specific power. If, then, the bark, as you say, 
(p. 196), prolongs the intermission as well as the exacerbation, you must be 
wrong in your notion that these are different electric states; for the power 
of the bark does not change! The fact is, you are in the same old error 
with the Allopathists, in treating fever as disease. And you will never be 
able to learn "the modus operandi of external agents" (20), till you correct 
that error. You must "feel your way" in every case, and never know 
before you try (p. 209), what nor how much you ought to prescribe, nor 
what produces the results that follow. You will never know whether the 
causes of the disease, the vital force, or your medicines, or all together, are 
the agents to which you should ascribe the symptoms. 

543. This explanation of the modus operandi of bark in preventing chills 
and fevers, shows that Dr. D.'s mind is shrouded in total darkness on the 
nature of that form of disease, as well as the remedial power that cures it. 
He seems to think that his notions of it are peculiar; but, let him compare 



160 

his doctrine that "these fevers, however mild in themselves, are sufficiently 
powerful in many cases, to avert the return of the more dangerous morbid 
motion," (p. 197), with the Homeopathic doctrine of cure, or the Allopathic 
(Watson, p. 95), and point out the difference, if he can see any, and be wel- 
come "to all that is peculiar to himself." 

544. Dr. D. asks (197), "what medicine acts invariably in the same man- 
ner?" I answer, every medicine acts invariably in the same manner, and 
Dr. Dickson agrees with me. "The primitive agency of the purely medi- 
cinal substances, is one and the same," (184). How can it be otherwise? 
He says again, justly, (196), "that the same atom can not work in two dif- 
ferent directions." But, he also says, "if a medicine always acted invari- 
ably, that would prove it specific," (197). Well, what of that? Oh, he 
has said — "but that we shall never discover!" What does he say of others 
who presume to set limits to discovery? 

545. But it is discovered — tannin produces invariably an astringent effect, 
and lukewarm water a relaxing effect on animal tissue. They never produce 
any other effect; — they are physiological specifies, and will invariably cure 
all those "diseases," — wrong states of living tissue, — that need no other 
action than theirs. Other effects that follow their use, must be attributed to 
some other power than theirs — as the debilitating or the astringent cause, or 
the vital force, one, two, or all. 

546. Prus sir. Acid. In giving its properties, Dr. D. says: "Combined 
with lobelia inflata, I have found it one of the most generally effectual reme- 
dies for asthma with which I am acquainted," 198. 

What an experimental philosopher! Here is an effect, — relief from dysp- 
noea. The vital force, lobelia inflata, and prussic acid, are combined to 
produce this effect, either in harmony with, or in opposition to, each other. 
"One drop of the prussic acid will kill a well man,"^-(Christison). You 
cannot give to a well man enough of lobelia in any form, to kill or injure 
him. But, lobelia, without the acid, "almost invariably" relieves asthma. 
"A twelfth or a sixteenth of a drop" of the acid is "combined with lobe- 
lia" and given — the asthma is cured — and — wonderful "discovery!" the acid 
is a "most efficient remedy!" 

547. But, suppose prussic acid did allay the irritation in asthma, cough, 
chills, <fcc, how does it allay it? As all deadly narcotics do; it so paralyzes 
the nerves as to deprive them of the power to feel the impression that excites 
the irritation, and, if much is given, to respond to it, if it did feel! Dr. D. 
is welcome to even his cures by prussic acid. — Some cures are worse than 
killing. — We have no doubt that prussic acid will "allay excessive irritability 
even in cancer," (197-8), if you take enough of it 

548. Opiates. Of opium Dr. D. says: "The most obvious effect is the 
control it exercises over the nerves of the senses. * * A minute dose 
generally heightens the perceptive powers, while a large dose generally di- 
minishes them," 199. 

Here is the same old Allopathic doctrine of the "dual action" of 
remedies — no account taken of the vital force! — whose reaction against the 
small dose produces, the "heightening of the perceptive powers," and the 



CRITICISED AND COEKECTED. 1G1 

yielding of which, to the large dose, permits the blessed "allaying of the 
irritatio/i." 

549. The same is true of all poisons. Their action is only one — tending 
invariably to death; so the action of simple medicines, is only one, tending 
invariably to life. The use or abuse, increase or diminution of either, does 
not change their nature nor the character of their action. Poisons are 
falsely called medicines, because they diminish those vital actions that are 
falsely called disease. 

550. Hence, the argument that sustains opium and prussic acid, with the 
Allopathist, the Eclectic, the Homeopathist, the Chrono-thermalist, is just 
as good for "aniimony, arsenic, mercury and the bleeding lancet," for these 
are "among the most effective remedies" for fever and inflammation, "with 
which Dr. D.," or any body else, "is acquainted." They have only to give 
"a sufficient dose" and the work is "invariably" accomplished! (No's. 51 
to 54, and 78 to 84). 

551. Dr. D. asks, (199), "who can tell what may be the effect of any 
remedy till it be tried? In practice, we find opium gives sleep in one 
case and precludes all sleep in another." We answer. The invariable ef- 
fect of opium and all pure narcotics, is to destroy nervous impressibility 
and action. The nerves battle successfully against small doses; and yield 
submissively to large doses. If, in any case, you do not see the "invari- 
able" effect of narcotics, it is simply because you are afraid to give as 
much of those "invaluable remedies," as the case demands! and for which 
you are very blameworthy, for your doctrine is that "the dose required is 
always safe," and "the scientific physician can always ascertain it." 

552. "Alcohol, wine and malt liquor, like every other medicinal agent, act 
upon the body beneficially or the reverse, in no other manner than by chang- 
ing the existing temperature of the brain," 199. 

But, "bark operates by changing the electric conditions" of the brain 
(196). Are electricity and caloric the same? 

553. "See how differently alcohol effects different men?" You just now 
said it only changed their temperature. If, therefore, they act differently, 
this difference must be ascribed to something else than alcohol, — viz: their 
natural temperaments, which, on alcoholic provocation, act out themselves! 
Alcohol has but one nature; therefore it produces but one action, — viz: pri- 
vation of nervous power to act, which the drinker "invariably" suffers when 
fully under its influence — "a sufficient dose!" 

554. It acts in a different manner from corrosive sublimate and nitrate of 
silver, because it is a different substance. The common result — death — of 
the full action of poisons, no more proves them "identical," than that the 
same "result" of a bullet or a sword, fire or frost, proves them identical. 

555. "Wine makes" no man "brave" nor "cowardly;" it only provokes 
to action the powers which each man possesses, and those respond first 
which are the most sensative at the time, while those which are depressed, 
are the most easily paralyzed; and this impressibility, or the want of it, is 
owing to the differences of vital, not electric action." 

11 



162 CHKONO-THEKMALISM. 

556. ''It throws them into a state of fever." "Does not this unity of 
result argue unity of mode of action?" (200.) Most assuredly a unity of 
result generally, though not always, argues a unity both of mode and cause 
of action, and therefore so shrewd a man as Dr. Dickson, when he saw that 
fever was a result of the administration of such heterogeneous materials as 
his materia medica, bark and arsenic, valerian and strychnine, beer and 
mercury, musk and zinc, should have looked for the cause of this "same 
mode of action," not to those differently constituted agents which could not 
possibly produce it, but to something permanently in the system, that was 
always able to produce it. That something is the vital force; and the cause, 
not only of that [febrile) "mode of action," but of every other physiolog- 
ical action in the system. He would then have learned that, not only "the 
lancet, the leech, and the cupping glass," but arsenic, mercury, opium, and 
prussic acid, and everything that directly depresses irritation, fever, and 
inflammation are, in their nature, in all quantities and circumstances deadly 
poisons, hostile to life and health, and should be rejected from all medical 
practice; while those that act in harmony with these vital movements — (that 
is, aid the system in increasing or equalizing them) and produce no "sec- 
ondary effect" (that is, prostration or injury), such as cayenne, ginger, 
lobelia, valerian, tannin, Peruvian bark, cherry bark (in which there is no 
more quinine nor prussic acid than there is of alcohol in a wheaten loaf or a 
roasted ear of corn), should be regarded and applied as the only legitimate 
remedies for disease. 

557. How such a man as Dr. Dickson could bring his mind to believe 
that 

Bark and arsenic, Fir-balsam and cantharides, 

Prussic acid and valerian, Earths and alkalies, 

Opium and ginger, Sulphur and bismuth, 

Morphine and quinine, Digitalis and squills, 

Musk, and strychnine, Iodine and turpentine, 

Zinc and camphor, Lead and belladonna, 

Nit. silver and tinct. of iron, Lobelia and tobacco, 
Mur. of mercury and assafcetida, 

and "every other agent in nature," can "act in the same manner and pro 
duce the same effects upon the human body," should puzzle any one to divine, 
who has not observed that a favorite hobby like the Doctor's notion of "the 
Electric action" of "all agents in nature," sometimes completely narco- 
tizes the most discriminating powers of the brightest men, and makes them 
talk as if they had neither talent nor knowledge, nor scarcely moral honesty. 

558. How could Dr. Dickson quote from Hippocrates (p. 24) the doc- 
trine of the unity and type of fever, and then declare that he was the dis- 
coverer ? 



Can it be supposed that he never read Brown, Rush, nor hundreds of 
eminent Allopathic authors on the unity of fever, called by them and him 
disease ? Did he never read Gregory, Armstrong, South wood Smith, Mar- 
shall Hall, nor Watson, who all treat fevers as a unit? Has he never read 
our learned Paine who says (Inst. p. 464), "They who have considered 
inflammation and fever distinct affections, have offered no analysis by which 
their individuality may be established"? and that they are "the two orders 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 163 

of disease that make up the great amount of human maladies and form the 
grand outlets of life"? 

559. Can it be supposed that Dr. D. ever read the total rejection of the 
lancet by Salmon, Brown, Donaldson, Graham, Louis, and Hahnemann in 
Europe; and Samuel Thomson, Wooster Beach, and Lobstein in Amer- 
ica, and knew how much was done here by the latter gentlemen and there 
by the former, to curtail its use; and how much it is still used, notwith- 
standing all their and his efforts; and then had the assurance to publish to 
the world? p. 209, 

560. " Gentlemen, to say blood-letting is a bad remedy is one thing — to 
prove it to be bad is another — to force the world to believe and act upon 
your arguments in the teeth of the opinion of the world, is a still greater 
achievement. That merit i" distinctly claim. With Coriolanus, I can say, 
alone / did it"!! (209). 

Alas for human frailty! 

561. The pretending medical scholar who could pen such a declaration, 
reminds me of the boasting geographer who asked if Massachusetts was not 
somewhere about Boston ! If he will study medical history, the Doctor 
will find, in the works of John George Hansel, an Englishman, a century 
ago, the doctrine of the Chrono-Thermal system, all but the electricity, 
and in Dr. Samuel Thomson's work, the same doctrine, purified of its 
fever disease, unity of medicinal action and poisonous medicine errors; and 
that, with all his boasting that "he alone did it," he has scarcely a score of 
followers in America, while there is more radical medical reform in the Uni- 
ted States than in all the rest of the world put together! 

562. Absurdities and contradictions. Dr. Dickson says, (page 54,) "The 
only test of medical truth and treatment is successful results." But, on page 
190, he says, "That individuals occasionally recover from serious disease, 
after the unsparing use of calomel in scruple (20 gr.) doses, is no more an 
argument in favor of such a mode of treatment, than that many a man has 
been knocked down by a blow and lived," is in favor of such blows. "To 
reason in this manner is to argue that blows are good things." Yet such is 
the only reason that could be given for giving poison of any kind! 

563. He says, (page 37), "Quinine is generally the most efficient of all 
remedies; but others are sometimes better on account of their better adapta- 
tion to the electrical conditions of the brain." Yet, he says, "The only 
reason why any article acts as a medicine is its power to change the electrical 
conditions of the brain!" Here is a direct contradiction. If any other 
remedy is on this account ever better than quinine, it must always be: for 
he says in another place that the medicines do not change their conditions. 

564. He prescribed 3 grains of opium (p. 81), and, (p. 181), he says: 
"Only let So-and-So put down in writing, that any of these substances ever 
poisoned any body, in the dose and at the age for which I and others pre- 
scribe it, and I shall have the pleasure [!] of publishing the fact (!) to the 
professional world for their future edification." 



164 CIIRONO -THERM ALISM, 

Did he never read the authors from which I have quoted Nos. 71 to 77, 
where he would have learned that one grain of opium often kills ? 

On 105 and 116, he says "there are no specifics," and yet he devotes a 
good part of section ix, to the consideration of "particular remedies that 
affect particular parts." 

565. He abuses "the profession" by wholesale, for "wielding daily, such 
power, without the smallest idea of the principles on which they act," and 
on p. 191, 199, asks, "Who can tell what effect any remedy may have till 
it be tried?" And on page 209, "Perceiving the utter impossibility of fore- 
telling, in many cases, the particular agent by which you are to obtain ame- 
lioration; and, as in almost every case, when an agent does not act favorably 
it does the reverse; you must see the necessity of commencing your treat- 
ment with the smallest available [effective] doses of the more potent remedies 
of feeling your way, in short, before you venture upon the doses prescribed by 
the schools." 

566. If this is not "arrant quackery," we must have a new definition of 
the term. You cannot know by examination the "electric state," "dis- 
ease" (181), nor by experience what remedy will correct it (181). You 
must guess at it: try first one and then another, of "powerful agents," that 
"cut two ways," perhaps half a dozen that cut backwards, and "nearly ex- 
haust all your best resources," before you hit the one that cuts forward (46). 
"Physic and poison are identical," (179) "till they are tried," and no 
matter how many times they have been tried (Nos. 46 to 151), they must 
be tried again, not only in the commencement of every case, but during its 
entire progress as the "electrical state" changes from chills to fevers and 
backwards! May we not justly style Dr. D. "the prince of quacks"? 
On his principles blood-letting should be tried over and over, for nothing is 
more effective in changing the "thermal" and "electric states" of the body! 
The experience of the past against it is of no more value than the same expe- 
rience against mercury! (78 to 151). "Who can tell the effect of any 
remedy" [in any case] "till it be tried?" (199). Success in each case (54) 
must be the test, though many recover from blows on the head, and "the 
reparative power of nature will cure nineteen cases out of twenty without 
the assistance of any physic at all," (178). 

567. In general Dr. D. seems to count opium, prussic acid, &c, "nega- 
tive" or depressing remedies. He considers the "period" of intermission a 
degree or two below par; and yet he administers in this state the negative 
agents to raise it up. "Lower him up," said Pat, when he wanted the coffin 
lifted from the grave! But we will not do the Doctor injustice. He is not 
sure beforehand whether the stage of lassitude is negative or positive. He 
tries his generally negative remedies, opium, prussic acid, &c, in the smallest 
appreciably effective doses (209), "feels his way;" and if they provoke the 
system to an action sufficient to both drive away the drug and prevent the 
chill, why, then, "he is justified" (p. 54) in continuing this blind and dan- 
gerous quackery with opium, (81, 3 gr. doses), prussic acid, <fec, "by suc- 
cessful results," which, however, are no more justification to a "regular," 
(118), than "recovery from blows on the head" is for repeating the blows! 
And this he proves by an equal success with his generally positive remedies, 
bark, wine, camphor, &c. He does not know till he tries it, whether cayenne, 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 165 

will increase the heat or digitalis diminish it, in any given case ! The "elec- 
trical conditions of the system may, "for aught he knows till he tries, " be such 
as to directly reverse the action of these remedies!" (52, 199). An article 
may be generally good for "a particular type of disease in one locality, and as 
generally prejudicial when applied to the same type in another," 191. The 
gout in the first toe and gout in the second may require different remedies ! 

568. Before telling us what "never entered into the heads of any medi 
cal writer before him," ( 194, 24), he should at least have read some of those 
things that have been recorded by many of the most distinguished medical 
men who ever lived ! Or he should have remembered, when writing page 
194, what he himself said on page 24, that Hippocrates taught the doctrine 
of the unity both of disease and its type. But let it be remembered by the 
reader, that all those writers, Dickson included, (35), have taught the erroi 
that this unity consists in fever!!! and hence, all their other errors in theory 
and mischiefs in practice — their inablility to define either medicines or poi- 
sons, or to learn their modus operandi, (No. 20), or "the shade of morbid 
action," (22), or the "electrical states of the system to which they are appli- 
cable." Dickson, 186, 209. 

569. On page 179, the Doctor says: "If the Homeopathists will put in 
print the instances in which I have neglected to acknowledge any thing I 
have borrowed from them or others, I will very much thank them," &c. 

570. Having found the Doctor either very culpable in this respect, or 
very ignorant of medical progress, I will not say what he has borrowed from 
others; but I will say that he claims the discovery of the unity and periodicity 
of disease [fever] though he quoted it from Hippocrates, (24). The univer- 
sality of fever in all forms of disease, though he might have quoted it from 
Gregory, (No. 38), or from Paine, (No. 41), or Marshall Hall on Infl.^ 
(No. 302), or Hahnemann, every where. He claims the discovery of the 
electric action of remedies and the rejection of the lancet — though he might 
have quoted both from his countryman, Dr. James Graham of London, and 
J. S. Olcott \>i Boston. He claims the discovery of the unity of disease, 
though he might have read it in Brown, or in Gregory, in Hahnemann, in 
Graham, in Rush, in Samuel Thomson, in W. Beach, in fact in one half of 
the ablest works of the profession. His "discovery," (195), that "whatever 
can cure disease can cause it," is the basis of Hahnemann's system! He 
claims to have discovered the periodicity of all disease and the proper time 
for medication; and yet his favorite, Hippocrates, taught the expectant treat- 
ment — the waiting for the favorable moment to "aid nature." He claims the 
discovery of the doctrine that the true treatment of disease consists in regu- 
lating the temperature of the body; but, if he read the book from which was 
derived the doctrine that lobelia is the best remedy for asthma, (198), he 
would have learned that doctrine far more perfectly than he has taught it ! 
He would have learned before trying, whether the heat is too high or too low, 
and what remedy to begin with in each and every case! He would have 
learned also, sure "rules" by which he could "tell what effect a medicine 
will have on diseased states" before it has been tried on any one! 

If I had never read any book but Dr. D.'s, I might have supposed that 
some of his claims to discoveries are just; and if I had never "tried" nor 
thought for myself, I might have supposed that his doctrines of disease were 



166 CHKONO-THERMALISM, ETC. 

true and his practices good; but as it is, I am skeptical on all these points. 
Still I esteem the man for his moral courage in combatting what he believes 
to be wrong, and boldly advancing "in the teeth of public opinion," what 
he believes to be right; and for putting forth, in his work, much that is tine 
and good, (as on page 40, second paragraph), which may be very useful to 
those who have the true philosophy of medicine, that will enable them to 
know the right and the wrong, and to separate the one from the other, before 
they "exhaust nearly all their best resources," p. 46 

571. While we thus criticise Dr. D. as in duty to science, justice and 
humanity we are bound to do, we most cordially assert that in many of his 
criticism on Allopathy and modifications of its practice, he, like Hahnemann, 
has done a signal service for reform, and assure the reader who is on the true 
foundation of medical science and practice, and therefore can not be lead 
astray by its "bewitching theories," that he will find Dr. D.'s "Fallacies of 
the Faculty, and Principles of Chrono-T 'hernial Practice of Medicine," 
a most deeply interesting book, by carefully reading which, he will be able 
to judge of its value and of the justice of our criticisms on it. 



WATER CURE. 



Thus far, I have presented the efforts to reform the practice of medicine, 
on the basis of the Allopathic doctrine that "irritation, inflammation and 
fever are diseases," by men who belonged to the profession, and desired to 
remain in social and scientific harmony with its members; and who left it, 
if at all, only because of its ill treatment of them, on account of their 
reformatory efforts. 

572. I have shown that, for the want of a new and sure foundation prin- 
ciple to start upon, their reforms have been but superficial at the best, and 
have mostly fallen back again entirely to Allopathy; that Eclecticism, Ho- 
meopathy and Chrono-Thermalism, have no principle that will prevent them 
from being again swallowed up by Allopathy, and poisoned and reduced by 
its errors and practices, till they can no longer be distinguished as reforms. 

573. It now becomes my pleasure to speak of men who, out of the pale 
of the Profession, uninstructed in its plausible and "bewitching theories," 
and unbiassed by the influence of a powerful profession and temptation to 
honor and profit, could look on the practice as it was exercised by its advo- 
cates, and justly scan and measure its results; and who had the moral inde- 
pendence to break all restraints, to reject what they believed to be wrong, 
and adopt what they found to be good, without the fear of consequences. 

574. The first of these that I shall notice, though not the first in time, is 
Priessnitz, the pioneer of what is called, The Water Cure. 

This system of medication was devised by Vincent Priessnitz, a peasant 
of Graefenburg, Germany. 

575. It is based upon the proposition that, by eating and drinking what 
he should not; by neglecting the proper use of water, exercise and air; and, 
finally, by taking poisonous and exciting drugs to cure disease, man has 
departed very far from his original health: and that he can return to it only 
by reversing this course. 

576. He must eat moderately and at proper times, of that which is the 
most suitable to sustain and the least liable to injure him — must drink only 
water and use it freely on his person; must breathe fully of fresh air, and 
take the amount and character of exercise the best calculated to give health 
and vigor to every organ of his body. 

(167) 



168 

577. It is generally the case that, when a man becomes disgusted and 
displeased with a part of a system of principles or practices, he is inclined 
to reject the whole, the good as well as the bad features of that system, and 
fly otf at once to the opposite extreme. Hence, it is quite natural that a 
peasant who has seen little else than misery and death as the result of dru«'- 
medication, should exclude everything that bears the name of drug or medi- 
cine from any system which he may devise. 

It is equally natural that men like Johnson and Gully, in Europe, and 
Shew. Trail, &c, in this country, who, from their unfortunate adoption of 
the "fever disease doctrine" were never able to distinguish medicines from 
poisons, should take the same leap from the practice of using indiscriminately 
medicines and poisons, to that of using nothing that is called a medicine. 

578. Hence, the fact that nearly all the men who have embraced hydropathy 
exclusively as their practice, have been eithei persons who, like the peasant, 
Preissnitz, never knew much of medicine; or who, like Johnson, Forbes, Shew 
and Trail, had been through the allopathic routine, and become entirely dis- 
gusted by it. 

579. Others who have seen much of what is called domestic or sanative 
practice, and its effects, have turned their attention towards the use of innoc- 
uous stimuli, and the rejection of only what they have considered inimical 
to life. These are found among Eclectics, Botanies, Thomsonians, root 
and herb doctors, Indian doctors, <fcc. The most sensible, philosophical and 
honest among them being Physio-medicals, using only agents whose action 
harmonizes with the vital functions and benefits the tissues, among which 
water is so conspicuous that many of them enter the existing water-cure 
establishments or provide its appliances in their Infirmaries, so that patients 
can have the benefit of those convenient combinations of water with medicine 
in cases in which neither would be so effectual alone. 

580. The pure water cure establishments are mostly conducted by converts 
from the allopathic faculty, who have had a large experience in practice, and 
who, from their false views of disease and of therapeutic action, have never 
been able to estimate aright or duly to appreciate, the purely physio-medical 
agents of the materia medica, whose action is as innocent as that of water, 
and often far more speedy and efficient. 

581. Thus, Dr. Trail, of New York, says: "Of drug remedies in any 
sense, from calomel and antimony down through lobelia and nervines, to 
raspberry leaves and catnip — all or either, we dispute their innocency," and, 
"all drug remedies, lobelia and cayenne, as well as calomel and opium, arc 
absolutely poisons." W. 0. J., 1854, p. 85, and P. M. R., 1854, p. 161. 

582. But there are other establishments under the name, conducted by 
men who have learned, from the Physio-medical system, that many of these 
"drug remedies" are more prompt and efficient, in man}^ cases, than water; 
always as innocent in their nature and often more so in their effects, and they 
use them as they think proper. We are acquainted with a number of such 
establishments. 

583. This course is not sanctioned by Preissnitz, nor any of his strict fol- 
lowers. Dr. Joel Shew, who spent some time with him, says: "No one 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 169 

deserves the name of hydropathist who does not practice according to the 
principles of the immortal founder of the new system. It is well known to 
be a standing rule with Priessnitz, with which all must comply, that no 
patient is allowed to take medicine while undergoing the cure." W. C. Man., 
p. 28. Neither does Priessnitz allow the vapor bath, but Dr. Shew uses it. 

584. I find, nowhere, any set platform of principles from the hand of 
Preissnitz, though he may have written one that has not come under my eye. 
Yet, from reported remarks, I infer some of his doctrines; for example: 

585. Dr. Shew reports a case of "liver complaint," to cure which the 
lady had been treated with mercury. Under Preissnitz' s treatment in a short 
time "she had a crisis of boils, through which the mercury evaporated." 
Immediately after these had healed, "the inflammation of the liver returned. 
'Now you may consider yourself cured,'' said Priessnitz; and she was indeed 
cured in a few weeks, when the liver complaint left her." W. C. Man., p. 25. 

From this, I infer that Priessnitz did not consider inflammation disease. 

586. Dr. Edward Johnson, who spent some months with Priessnitz in 
1842-3, for the express purpose of observing the facts of water cure and 
learning its principles, says: 

"There is no well educated medical man in England who will refuse to 
admit that a remedy which can produce (at will) the most profuse perspira- 
tion, and which can (also at will) lower the temperature, and the velocity of 
the heart's action to any given degree, (even the extinction of life), that such 
a remedy must possess an immense power over diseases of all kinds." Prin- 
ciples of Hydropathy, Pref., p. 11. 

587. Hence, I infer that the science of Hydropathy consists in regulating 
the temperature, or, in other words, the action of the system, with the tem- 
perature for a guide. 

588. Again, I find several pages devoted to the processes of nutrition and 
purification, at the close of which Dr. Johnson arrives at the conclusion that 
the process of waste is quite as important as that of nutrition, and that the 
•promotion of this, chiefly through the skin, is "even more important than 
that of nutrition" [?] p. 87. Hence, an important doctrine of Hydro-thera- 
peutics is to remove all the waste from the body as fast as it accumulates. 
So that, as nearly as I can deduce them from all that I can find written on 
the subject, 

589. The water cure consists in the grand propositions: 1. Put into the 
body that and that only which is useful to it as food or drink. 2. Keep the 
body in those circumstances of air, temperature, exercise and rest, that will 
enable it to make the most profitable use of the first. 3. Remove from the 
body, as fast as separated from its tissue, or by any means accumulated in it, 
everything offensive to its well-being. 

590. To all these propositions, in the abstract, all sensible men, profes- 
sional or not, most cordially assent. The only questions are: 

591. What is the condition of the body (called health) in which all these 
things are fully and perfectly regarded ? What are the conditions (called 



170 WATER CUKE, 

disease) that result from the neglect of any of the above? What are the 
signs or symptoms by which those conditions may be known ? What are 
the agents of No. 1, (589), the circumstances of No. 2, and the best means 
and processes of No. 3? on all which there is a vast diversity of opinion 
among men, even the strongest advocates of water cure. 

592. In searching among their writings, I find that the leading authors, 
Johnson, Gully, Shew, &c, adopt nearly the same doctrines of disease, viz: 
that its distinct forms are legion, and its essence irritation, fever, and inflam- 
mation. Shew's Manual, p. 126. 

593. Dr. Trail says, (Cyc, vol. 2, p. 74), "Fever is an abnormal disturb- 
ance of most or all the bodily functions;" and (p. 78), "The paroxysm 
is a remedial effort." But, speaking of ague and fever (p. 91), he says, 
"We find this disease" &c, (Dr. Dickson's type of all disease). In his 
discussion with me on the modus operandi of drugs, he says: "Fever is both 
disease and an effort of nature." 

594. In the department of nosology, Drs. Shew and Trail follow the de- 
scriptions of "disease" by the Allopathic writers. 

But, vol. 2, p. 72, Dr. Trail's "judgment" is with mmethat these "Nosol- 
ogies are all unphilosophical and absurd " and in vol. 1, p. 33, 

595. That " The only foundation of a true medical practice, is correct phys- 
iological principles," or those "based upon the laws of life." "And here 
[not in their notions of the modus operandi of remedies] is precisely where 
the whole orthodox medical system utterly and totally fails." 

596. "It has no physiological science upon which to practice the healing 
art." [This is the "error of errors." They count irritation, fever, and 
inflammation — mere disturbances of physiological action — disease; and, in 
practice, seek to destroy the power that produces them, instead of removing 
the obstacles to their equilibrium]. 

597. What then are the distinctive doctrines of Water-cure or Hydro-the- 
rapeutis ? I answer : 

1st. That vegetable food and pure air and water are the only substances 
proper to be received into the human economy, in a state of health. 

2d. That daily, universal bathing in cool water, is indispensable to the 
preservation of perfect health. 

3d. That pure water is the only proper remedial agent to be administered 
or applied to the body for the cure of disease. 

4th. That all substances called medicines or pure stimulants are more 
or less poisonous, and do more harm than good. (See Discussion. Also 
No. 575). 

598. To the first proposition I remark: It is seldom that we can find veg- 
etable substances so abundant and so pure, that we may not find some animal 
food preferable to the vegetables before us. Thus the imperfectly developed 
grain, fruits, and roots, are often quite deleterious to health, while good ven- 
ison, wild fowl, fish, &c, are nutritious and wholesome. I prefer good dried 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 171 

beef or venison to sour bread, wet potatoes, gnarly apples, &c. Yet, as a 
general proposition, I believe that vegetable food is preferable to animal. 

I believe that few bodies are constantly in such a condition even when we 
call them healthy, that the addition of a little acid, sugar, ginger, or spice 
of some kind, or aromatic stimulant may not sometimes be beneficial. 

To the second proposition I give my full sanction. 

3d. I cannot admit that pure water is the only substance properly admis- 
sible as medicine, nor do I believe that there is, in the civilized world, a 
Water-cure establishment in which actively medicinal substances are not 
used. For example, Dr. Trail says, (vol. 2, p. 84), "Indian or wheat meal 
gruel promotes the action of the bowels." "Crust- water, corn coffee, lem- 
onade, apple tea, &c, (p. 85), [and he might just as well have added, pep- 
permint, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, or cayenne tea], "are both grateful and 
harmless." 

A medicinal action is one that is calculated to remove obstructions, or to 
correct the wrong conditions of the tissues in disease. If wheaten grits, 
barley cakes, rye mush, stewed apples, pears, plums, and tamarinds excite 
the bowels to action and remove costiveness (and they do), they act medic- 
inally; and it were just as sensible to object to them on account of the extra 
labor they provoke, as to oppose leptandria or juglans when used for the 
same purpose. If lobelia and boneset, by relaxing the system, excite it to 
vomiting to remove pernicious substances (and they do), they do just what 
warm water does in the same cases. The question, which is the best means, 
depends on the answer to another question, viz: Which does it the best and 
with the least expenditure of vitality to the system? Having tried them all, 
7" much prefer to put lobelia into the warm water. If my Water-cure friends 
prefer to make the system do all the labor without any assistance, let them 
do so. I will neither imitate them, nor commend their course. 

4. This I deem a very great mistake in theory, which leads to a great 
defect in practice — that of rejecting from the materia medica a multitude of 
therapeutic agents as innocent as water and far more efficient. 

599. It is surprising to what an extent persons will go, to sustain a dogma 
which they suppose they have discovered to be true. 

The application of water in any way, bath, shower, or wet pack, so cold 
as to produce a chilliness of more than three minutes duration, is as great an 
abuse of water as the continuance of the vapor bath to fainting, or of lobe- 
lia to entire prostration, or cayenne to a strong fever, is of these invaluable 
and equally innocent remedies. The liability to abuse of either is no objec- 
tion to its legitimate use. It is not liability to abuse that constitutes poison, 
but the intrinsic character of the article and its tendency to a wrong action. 

600. Water is indispensable, to keep the blood thin and sufficiently abund- 
ant to distend the vascular systems, to prevent organic and tissual irritation, 
and, above all, to absorb the extra heat and regulate the temperature of the 
body under great excitement. 

601. Liebig's notions, indorsed by so many learned men, about the veget- 
able food of the tropics and the train oil of the north regulating the animal 
temperature, should not be received without great deductions. 

If it is the mere burning of such food in the animal body, that keeps up 
the heat, how does the bear keep up his heat during winter, while he sits in 



172 WATER-CCRE, 

a hollow tree, without food, and comes out late in the spring ? How is 
the flesh of those men sustained who eat no animal food in any climate ? 
and how is the heat of those sustained who eat nothing but lean flesh? k. 
friend of mine once spent four years among the buffaloes of the west, living 
almost wholly on their lean flesh. Yet he retained all his health and vigor. 
And it is notorious that the hardiest plebeians of the northern countries of 
Europe, seldom eat any meat. How is their flesh sustained ? 

602. The fact is, that much of the heat in animals, is generated, as it is 
around pivots in machinery, by friction alone, and its degree is regulated 
almost wholly by the elastic power of the surface which, when too much 
accumulates, expands to let it escape; and when too little, contracts to retain 
a sufficient quantity. The irritation, called thirst, which an excess of caloric 
excites, induces the animal to drink, and the fluid absorbs the caloric, and 
carries it out in the form of perspiration. When excitement is great and 
water deficient, the result is a contraction of the surface that retains too 
much heat. This excites the nerves and blood-vessels to the production of 
that condition which is termed fever and inflammation. Now, common 
sense tells us that this condition demands cool water, internally and exter- 
nally : and hence the reason why water is so effectual, as a remedy, in all 
acute forms of disease. If applied, of the proper temperature, and in the 
right quantity and manner, it is often all that is necessary; and even when 
morbific matter has accumulated and the action of the system is low, warm 
or hot water is an indispensable aid to medicines that more speedily raise 
the action and purify the body. 

603. But, when used cold internally or externally as a stimulant, to raise 
healthy action in a case of chronic debility, as in packing a dyspeptic or 
consumptive patient in a cold wet sheet, and keeping him there two hours, 
with his teeth chattering with cold, or even in bathing him in cold water in 
the hope that, after this very disagreeable, fatiguing, and prostrating pro- 
cess, he will be blessed with a free perspiration, is little if any better than 
to expose him to cold, and then to ague and fever, for the same purpose. 

604. It should be no wonder to the reflecting mind, that morbific matter 
should thus be confined in the tissues till it forms deposits and breaks out 
in "sore boils from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot." 

605. If the object is to purify the body by perspiration, why not put it 
into a vapor bath, and let it have the benefit at once, of artificial warmth 
and moisture, instead of compelling it, in its debilitated state, to labor two 
hours in chattering its teeth, and suffering all the torment of a universal 
chill, till, by this severe goading provocation, it shall raise heat enough to 
warm the water, relax the tissues, and relieve itself from "duress vile?" 

606. I am not a little amused at the hue and cry of the Hydropathists 
against the "extra labor" necessary to remove stimulants (such as ginger, 
sage, and catnip), over and above what is necessary to remove the disease 
for which I give them, connected with the recommendation of two hours 
chilly labor in the cold pack, to heat water enough to make the patient as 
comfortable as hb was when they put him into it, before a perspiration, not 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 173 

so good as that produced by my ginger and vapor bath, can be started to 
relieve it! 

607. I am glad to see that some Water- Cure advocates are becoming sen- 
sible of this absurdity and folly, and are giving, in such cases, warm and 
vapor baths at once. Dr. Shew has given us a full chapter (viii) on the use 
and value of the vapor bath, and it is the most valuable chapter in his book. 
It is exceedingly rare that "boil crises" follow the use of the vapor bath, 
for the plain reason that the morbific material which forms them, under cold 
pressure, is carried out through the natural channels opened by the combined 
influence of warmth and moisture in the vapor bath. 

I was pleased also that, when about to advocate the superiority of a vapor 
over a cold bath in cold chronic cases, in preventing chills, boils, &c, the 
pupils of Dr. Trail assured me that they already agreed with me in this. 
And Dr. Trail himself, (p. 37, vol. 2), speaks of the vapor bath as superior 
in many cases to the cold water bath, and attributes all the evils of its use 
to its abuse (599) by " steam doctors,' ' whom he represents as ignorant of its 
proper management. He tells us how it should be used ! If he will only 
allow us as much science and common sense as he possesses, I suppose that 
we ourselves may use it properly hereafter! 

I think the Doctor is hardly fair in saying that the steam doctors have 
brought the vapor bath into disrepute. Was it in scientific and popular use 
and credit, before Dr. Samuel Thomson revived its use in this country? And, 
if it is in some places less respected now than it was twenty years ago, is it 
not because pseudo reformers have joined with Allopathists in abusing it, 
for the purpose of putting down the strong opposition to their craft, of those 
who then the most judiciously and effectually applied it ? 

608. Principles. Priessnitz and his followers seem to have disregarded, in 
a great measure, all platforms of principles as well as systems of nosological 
arrangement; and devoted themselves chiefly to the business of regulating 
the heart's motions and the temperature of the body, with water, applied 
according to the dictates of their judgment in each particular case. Still a 
few of them have laid down what they conceived to be the main foundation 
stones of their edifice. I quote them here for inspection, and add a few 
comments. Dr. Edward Johnson, who spent some time with Priessnitz, says : 

609. "Health consists in that state of the body in which the transforma- 
tion of food into the living tissue, bears the natural proportion (as regards 
their activity), to the activity of the tansformations of living tissues into life- 
less amorphous compounds of oxygen — in other words, when the conservative 
vital force offers the proper amount of resistance to the destructive force of 
oxygen — or in language simpler still, the supply is in due proportion to the 
waste. An adult animal is in health when these two forces exactly counter- 
balance each other." [Good]. 

610. "Disease is a disturbance of this equilibrium or balance, [fever, an 
error], consequently, whatever causes this disturbance is a cause of disease, 
[good]. The vital force offers a perpetual resistance to all causes of disturb- 
ance, [good]. When this resistance is stronger than the cause of disturbance, 
disease does not occur. But when weaker, disease [inability] ensues, the 
condition in which this resistance entirely ceases is death," p. 1 18, 119. 



174 WATER-CURE, 

611. Dr. J. proceeds to show, by very apt illustrations, (an issue and 
a caustic), the healing tendency of inflammation, and the importance of keep- 
ing up healthy action. As cold water is by all, himself especially, (page xi), 
pronounced a powerful sedative, capable of "lowering the temperature and 
the velocity of the heart's action to any given degree, even to death," it fol- 
lows that it is not a proper remedy for great deficiency of temperature and 
cardiac action, and, of course that, when, in such cases, it does good, it is 
by the reaction it provokes, not the direct action it produces, and in this 
respect is no better than the "stimulating drugs" we often use. 

612. Dr. Shew, page 127, describes "inflammation generally" as "disease," 
and gives us, as the causes, "exposure to great heat and cold, cold and mois- 
ture," <&c. He gives the symptoms, "heat, throbbing, and violent pain," 
<fec. "This disease, [phrenitis], when severe, is exceedingly dangerous, and 
must be treated with promptness. Cool thoroughly the head and reduce the 
general fever," which he effects with cold water and pounded ice, p. 128. 
So "pneumonia is one of the most dangerous of all diseases," — to be cured 
in the same manner. 

Here are only four errors, first, inflammation is not disease; second, the vital 
force alone is its cause; third, inflammation is a unit, not "diseases," if it were 
many, and fourth, the practice should be to remove obstructions to its action, 
not to "reduce" the power of the system to make it. 

613. The only difference between Dr. Shew and Allopathists is, that he 
acts contrary to his theory, confining his practice to one inherently innocent 
remedy, while they act consistenly with their theory of inflammation, in sub- 
duing it with remedies appropriate to their notions of it. 

614. One would think the fact that the Water- Cure men use but one medi- 
cine for all cases, were enough to convince them that disease is a unit. But 
Dr. S. has as many diseases as Allopathists have, and they are the same — 
irritation, inflammation, and fever in their various forms. 

Dr. Shew does not confine his materia medica to cold water, — he gives a 
merited and generous credit to the vapor bath, page 96, and we assure him 
he needs not put ice on the head. It will fare quite as well if he envelopes 
it entirely in the vapor. 

615. Dr. Trail gives the symptoms of several different forms of fever, and 
then comes the "rationale" of it, which amounts to "a general effort of all 
the vital energies to relieve the system from the influence of some offending 
cause. That this effort is made periodically, the system requiring intervals 
of rests, until victory or death results," and he adds, "If this view of fever 
is right, the drug system of treatment must be wrong," p. 78. 

616. This* view of fever is nearly right, and, of course, proves that the use 
of poisonous drugs must be wrong. But some of the agents called drugs, 
have a direct tendency to aid "the vital powers" in removing the obstacles 
to their free and equal action, consequently these are right instead of wrong. 
The good Doctor's "foggy" idea that "fever is both the disease and an effort 
of nature," prevents him from yet seeing clearly the difference between 
medicines and poisons, — "hy genie agencies" and "deadly drugs." His treat- 
ment is so much like that of Dr. Shew, that we hardly need to repeat it 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 175 

here. As he uses no poisons he can do no mischief, except (as he says the 
Thomsonians do with their steam bath, p. 37), he, being ignorant of its 
powers and adaptations, may not make a proper use of his cold bath! — 
may "over do it," or use ice water with it, or not use the vapor bath first ! or 
may commit some other blunder for want of a little instruction from some 
Thomsonian who does not abuse it by making it a universal hobby. Dr. 
Trail says, (vol. 2, p. 51), "There are some delicate individuals of bloodless 
skin and feeble vitality, who find it extremely difficult to get comfortably 
warm in the wet sheet, and such may be very much assisted by a [warm] 
fomentation to the abdomen for five minutes before and after the pack." 

According to our observation, nearly all chronic cases are just such "deli- 
cate individuals," and we are of the opinion that a full vapor bath, and a 
gentle cold shower after it, to close the pores and keep the heat in, is as much 
better than the "fomentation on the abdomen," as it is more general over 
the system, and that the cold dash is as much better than the intermediate 
"pack" as it is adapted to the purpose of preventing exhaustion and regulat- 
ing the temperature; and we have a great mind to go and learn of Dr. Trail 
how to use it judiciously, and not to abuse it, as he thinks the ignorant steam 
doctors are in the habit of doing! Seriously, this regularly casting slurs on 
"steam doctors" for ignorantly abusing steam, reminds us of some great 
literary characters on a railway, condeming the engineers as unfit to manage 
the locomotive, because they can not translate a passage in Homer or Caesar, 
nor repeat a single page of Shakspeare, Milton, or Byron. 

As one of Dr. T.'s doctrines is, that we must cure disease by "aiding na- 
ture," — hygienic agencies alone — and another is, that "fever is both disease 
and an effort of nature," I am curious to know how he will cure disease with- 
out opposing the efforts of nature? And how the adoption of the double 
doctrine that fever is and is not disease, does not make him wrong, let which 
ever doctrine may be true. At all events he believes, with Dr. Beach, that 
"disease is a salutary effort of the system to remove disease!" That is as 
bad as making the stomach vomit up itself ! I would not turn the mind of 
the reader from the works of Drs. Shew and Trail, but only guard him 
against their errors and inconsistencies. He will find in them much that is 
worthy of his careful attention. 

617. The Water- Cure, then, as an important department of medical prac- 
tice, can not be too highly estimated; and, unlike any of the systems here- 
tofore examined, all the harm it ever does, results solely from improper 
applications of it, and not from any inherent tendency in water to injure the 
human system, whenever and wherever its action is demanded. No system 
of medical practice can ever be fully effective without its aid. Though its 
processes are by some carried to unjustifiable extremes, yet the Water- Cure, 
or Hydro-therapeutic system, is to be commended more than any of the pre- 
ceding for the greater and more judicious attention to diet and exercise, on 
which it continually insists, especially in its public establishments. The 
mere regular daily cleansing operations, diet and exercise of these institu- 
tions, do much, independent of what is considered medical, to aid the vital 
force of almost any patient to recover its equilibrium of action, and the organs 
their proper impressibility and activity. When they add to what is there 
applied, the judicious use of other purely sanative medicinal agents and pro- 
cesses, and that direct aid to the vital force which electricity and extra vital 
power can apply, they will do all that has been yet discovered for the relief 



176 WATER-CUKE, 

of physical suffering. On this system of practice, Drs. Johnson, Gully, 
Shew, and Trail are good authorities. 

618. In view of the preceding exhibition of it, is it wonderful that Bichat 
should say, (4), "Medicine is not a science for a methodical mind," but "a 
shapeless assemblage of inacurate ideas"? — That Whiting should call it (5) 
"nothing but hypothesis piled on hypothesis"? — That Bigelow should style 
it (5) "an ineffectual speculation"? — That Abercrombie should call it (1) 
"the art of conjecturing"? — That Waterhouse should call it (25) "learned 
quackey"? — and that Rush (26) and Chapman ( 141 )should call the practice 
"horrid, unwarrantable, murderous quackery"? 

Since, as I have shown, they all retain the fundamental, Allopathic errors, 
that "irritation, and inflammation are diseases," and that the symptoms which 
follow "the action of external agents on the body, whether as causes of 
disease or as remedies," (20), are produced by those agents, is it at all won- 
derful that Homeopathists should never have learned how, in any case, to 
"choose the proper agent, the dose, or the time of repetition?" (473) — That 
Eclecticism and Chrono-Thermalism should be guility of the inconsistency 
of railing against one mode of depletion, (the lancet), and adopting another, 
(physic), — of rejecting one poison (mercury) or three, (mercury, antimony, 
and arsenic), and prescribing all others — that they must be sometimes obliged 
to try many agents, (418), even their whole catalogue (533), before they 
hit the right, and never know, but by their success, whether they have hit 
the right or the wrong — killed or cured? (531). Is it strange that none of 
the sects should be able to distinguish between food, medicines, and poisons? 
(408), or that all should so stupidly adopt the absurdity that "food may be 
made poison by concentration," and "snake poison a medicine" by dilu- 
tion? (413, 550) — and that no one can give a good reason why he differs 
from the rest in his selections or his rejection? Is it strange that even our 
good friends of the Water- Cure tribe, while they are confused with this 
"fever disease" doctrine, can not determine what agents are sanative and 
what are poisonous, and therefore "pronounce them all, from calomel and 
antimony, through lobelia to sage and catnip tea, absolutely poisonous?" 
See Dr. Trail against Dr. Curtis. 

No! The wonder is, that any well instructed medical man should be so 
stupid as to count that absurd doctrine (fever disease) science for himself, 
(4), or have the impudence to publish it as science to the world! 

But says Whiting: "Because all systems hitherto promulgated, have been 
false, and consequently transient, it by no means follows that there may not 
be found one which will stand a tower of strength, unharmed by the rude 
shock of opposition's bursting wave, through all succeeding time." L. M. 
S., page 7. 

Says Prof. Samuel Jackson of the University of Pennsylvania, Principles, 
page 11: "The true science of medicine is a demonstrative science, and all its 
processes should be proved by established principles, and based on posi- 
tive inductions. That the proceedings of medicine are not of this character, 
is to be attributed to the manner of its cultivation, not to the nature of the science 
itself: 7 L. M. S., p. 15. 

These sentiments of Dr. Whiting and Prof. Jackson, are my own, and I 
now proceed to develop this "demonstrative science," that proceeds from 
"established principles," is "based on positive inductions," and will "stand 
unharmed through all succeeding time." 



THOMSONISM 



619. In the latter part of the last century, in the town of Alstead, New 
Hampshire, lived a farmer's boy named Samuel Thomson. He was a keen 
observer of men and things, particularly the practitioners and the practices 
of medicine. He watched, closely, both the men who studied at the colleges 
and gave drugs by the prescriptions of Professors, and of books sanctioned 
by law; and the less pretending but more useful doctors who practiced what 
was called "Domestic Medicine;" and he carefully noted the different results. 
After he became a man and had a family, he had abundant opportunities for 
painfully witnessing disease, and the empyrical and barbarous treatment of 
it, by "the legally constituted guardians of the public health," whose con- 
duct appeared so strange and inconsistent, that he commenced comparing it 
carefully with experience, reason, and common sense. Trammeled by none 
of the "bewitching theories of medical professors," blinded by no self-inter- 
est that should lead him to attempt to sustain ancient, time-honored and 
popular errors, his mind played freely over the field of observation and ex- 
periment before him, and soon discovered the fatal error of Allopathy — the 
doctrine that irritation, fever, and inflammation are disease. 

620. "I found by experience," says he, "that the learned doctors were 
wrong in considering fever a disease, or an enemy. The fever is a friend 
and cold the enemy. This I found by their practice in my family, till they 
had five times given the patient over to die. Exercising my own judgment. 
I followed after them, and relieved my family every time." 

621. "After finding a general principle respecting fevers, and reducing 
that to practice, I found it sure in all disease, when there was any nature 
left to build on; and in three years constant practice, I never lost one patient. 

"I attended all 'the fevers' peculiar to our country, and always used fever 
as a friend, and it returned the gratitude by saving the patient." Guide to 
Health, p. 10. 

622. Here was a grand discovery in medicine, viz: that fever is not 
only sometimes but always a friend; and that friend is a unit, an effort of 
the vital force to protect the organism from the aggressions of the causes of 
disease, "The struggle of nature to throw off disease," G. to H., p. 14. 

Others had discovered that, in mild cases, fever is a friend; but it was 
left for Sam'l. Thomson to maintain this doctrine consistently throughout. 
Not only once a friend but always a friend, was his doctrine. But this 
was not all. 

(177) 12 



178 

623. Sam'l. Thomson's conduct was consistent with his principles. Hav- 
ing discovered this great general principle, he "reduced it to practice." 

624. This was no Allopathic, Homeopathic, Eclectic, nor Chrono-Ther- 
mal patching up of an old rotten system of error and mischief. It was, 
indeed, as the Eclectics pronounced it, "a complete revolution in medicine," 
and the first and the only one that has ever been well planned, and completely 
carried out, since the murderous devices of Paracelsus came into vogue. 
Nothing else is worthy to at all compare with it. 

625. But how did he make the discovery? "Possessing a gift for exam- 
ining the things of nature, my mind was left entirely free to follow that 
inclination, by inquiring into the meaning of the great variety of objects 
around me," p. 8. 

626. Thus he discovered that "much of what is at this day called medi- 
cine, is deadly poison; and were people to know what is offered them of this 
kind, they would absolutely refuse to receive it even as medicine." 

627. " This I have long seen and known to be true, and have labored 
hard, for many years, to convince them of the evils that attend such a mode 
of procedure with the sick; and have turned my attention to those medi- 
cines that grow in our country and which the God of Nature has prepared for 
the benefit of mankind." 

628. "Long has a general medicine been sought for, and I am confident 
I have found such as are universally applicable, in all cases of disease, and 
which may be used by the people with safety and success. After thirty 
years study, and repeated successful trials of the medicinal vegetables of our 
own country, in all forms of disease incident to our climate, I can, with well 
grounded assurance, recommend my system of practice and medicines to the 
public, as both salutary and efficacious," p. 8. 

629. Here we find the true foundation principle of all scientific medica 
tion, whatever be the particular remedy used, or the mode of application, viz 

Whatever, in its specific nature, tends directly to aid the efforts of the 
vital force in protecting herself against the aggressions of the causes of dis- 
ease, or in removing those causes or the effects of their presence or action 
from her domain; whether by directly exciting her to a higher action, or by 
relaxing her tissues and enabling her to act more freely, or to remove offend- 
ing matter or conditions; or by lubricating, or by toning up her tissues, is a 
medicine, each particular character or article of which, if used in the cases, 
quantities, and modes, in which it is demanded, (all which this doctrine 
clearly indicates), is innocent and sanative; that is, it is intrinsically harm- 
less, an aid to nature in the prevention and cure of disease. The misappli- 
cation of it, is properly termed its abuse, and is the mildest form of quackery, 
and the most excusable. 

The ascertainment of the conditions and wants of the system, the judg 
ment as to the kind of medicine wanted, the quantity, and mode of appli 
cation, &c, fall within the scope of physiology and pathology, materia 
medica, and the knowledge and skill of the physicians; all which being now 
rightly based on the true doctrine of deranged vital action (irritation, fever, 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 170 

and inflammation), are no longer mysteries and guess work, speculation and 
recklessness (5, 6, 21, 27), but positive sciences, capable of being learned 
and successfully practiced by ordinary mental power and industry. 

630. On the other hand, whatever, in its nature, tends to destroy the 
organized tissue, or to deprive it of the power to respond to the action of the 
vital force, in its efforts to preserve health or to raise a fever (when one is 
necessary for self-defence), no matter in what special article found nor how 
applied, is a poison, always injurious to the system, even when used to pro- 
voke it to a physiological action to remove the causes, the conditions, or the 
effects of disease. 

The use of these for any medicinal purpose, is an abuse, both of the arti- 
cles and the patients, and a disgrace to the medical profession. It is the 
worst form and character of quackery — "horrid, unwarrantable, murderous 
quackery," (142). 

631. Observing that, in all cases of health, the heat is fully and equally 
distributed, and, in disease, deficient and unequally diffused, the farmer 
adopted and proclaimed the doctrine that the great duty of the physician is 
to "raise the heat," and to "keep the inward heat above the outward," 
(p. 28). So strenuously did he maintain this doctrine, that his Allopathic 
opponents charged him with burning and scalding his patients to death. 
He, in return, charged them with freezing theirs to death — adding, figur- 
atively, as they killed their patients by freezing them, and he cured his by 
warming them, it must follow that "heat is life and cold is death," p. 8. 

That this expression was intended to mean nothing more than that "the 
preservation of the equilibrium of heat, is the preservation of life; and the 
destruction of it produces death," is evident from the fact that he every- 
where says that, the raising of the heat, by artificial means, will restore the 
patient "whenever there is nature enough to build upon," p. 10. 

It must not be denied that, so strongly was he impressed with the idea 
of the deficiency of heat in all cases of disease, that he sometimes labored 
to increase the quantity, when an equal distribution of that already pres- 
ent, would have been much better. But let him give his principles for 
himself: 

632. "Led to inquire into the component parts of which man was made, 
I found him composed of fire, air, earth, and water. The earth and water 
are the solids, the fire and air the fluids. The two first are the component 
parts; the two last keep them in motion." This is, indeed, not very defin- 
ite, but about as useful as that of the scientific Simon, or Carpenter, or 
Brande, or others of the present day. "Heat I found was life, and cold 
death; and that all constitutions are alike." [He means, as I learned from 
himself, in regard to their anatomy and physiology, their powers and their 
wants]. 

633. "I shall now describe the fuel which continues the fire or life of 
man. This is contained in two things, food and medicines, which are in 
harmony with each other, grow in the same field, to be used by the same 
people, [A very important doctrine]. They who are capable of raising 
and preparing their food, may as easily learn to collect and prepare all their 
medicines and administer them when needed." 



180 THOMSONISM, 

634. "Our life depends on heat; food is the fuel that kindles and continues 
that heat. The digestive powers being correct, consume the food; this con- 
tinues the warmth of the body, by continually supporting the fire. The 
stomach is the deposit from which the whole body is supported. The heat 
is maintained in the stomach by consuming the food; and all the body and 
limbs receive their proportion of nourishment and heat from that source; as 
the whole room is warmed by the fire which is consumed in the fire-place. 
The greater the quantity of fuel consumed in the fire-place, the greater the 
heat of the room. So in the body; the more food, well digested, the more 
heat and support through the whole man," p. 8, 9. 

635. This doctrine may seem erroneous to some, but Dunglison has copied 
it almost verbatim, and Liebig has risked his reputation on its truth, except 
that he prefers the lungs to the stomach for his fire-place, and allows the lit- 
tle salamanders called arteries to scatter the coals all over the room, and set 
fire to all the combustibles they may alight upon. 

636. Thomson continues: " By constantly receiving food into the stomach, 
some of which is not the best for nourishment, the stomach becomes foul so that 
the food is not well digested. This causes the body to lose its heat — then 
the appetite fails, the bones ache, and the man is sick in every part of his 
whole frame. This situation of the body shows the need of medicine, and 
the kind needed; which is such as will cleanse the stomach and bowels and 
restore the digestive powers. When this is done the food will raise the heat 
again and nourish the whole man. All the art required is to know what 
medicine will do this and how to administer it, as a person knows how to 
clear a stove and pipe when clogged with soot, that the fire may burn free, 
and the whole room be warmed as before." 

637. "The body, after being cleared of whatever clogs it, will consume 
double the food and the food will afford double the nourishment and heat that 
it did before. We know that our life depends on food, and the stomach be- 
ing in a condition to receive and digest it. When the stomach and bowels 
are clogged, all that is needed is the most suitable medicine to remove obstruc- 
tions from the system. All disease is caused by clogging the system, and 
all disease is removed by restoring [as above] the digestive powers so that 
food may keep up the heat on which life depends," p. 9, 10. 

638. Hence it is evident that, as the Doctor puts both food and heat in the 
capacity of powers "on which life depends," he does not mean to say, lit- 
erally, that heat is life, any more than that food is life. They are both 
used figuratively, to signify that they are indispensable sustainers of life; 
and here all philosophers and sensible men agree with him. 

639. Those who have been willing to put down Dr. Thomson's system, 
have perverted his doctrine, "the more food well digested the better," to a 
license to patients to "eat as much as they please of anything they want." 
But, as he has here said "the more food" ('suitable for the best nourishment,' 
page 9,) and "well digested," the better. Neither he nor his system is 
chargeable with this error. Again, of medicines he says: 

640. " There are two great principles in the constitution of things — the 
principle of life and the principle of death. That which contains the prin- 
ciple of life can never be tortured into an administration of death. [Here he 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 181 

is wrong. We can kill ourselves by eating good food]. If, then, a medicine 
is good in any case, it is because it is agreeable to nature, or this principle of 
life, the very opposite of disease. If agreeable in one case, it must be abso- 
lutely so in all. [Not if unsuited to the case, as an astringent where a 
relaxant is required]. By the active operation of nature, the whole animal 
economy is carried on." [But here he is sound and true]. 

641. "If, then, heat is life, and its extinction death, a diminution of this 
vital flame, in every instance, constitutes disease, and is an approximation to 
death. All then that medicine can do, in the expulsion of disorder, is to 
kindle up the decaying spark, and restore its energy till it glows in all its 
wonted vigor." [He means, of course, by removing obstructions, and stimu- 
lating the system to a healthy action]. 

642. "If a direct administration can be made to produce this effect (and 
it can) it is evidently immaterial what is the name or color of the disease, 
whether bilious, yellow, scarlet or spotted; whether it is simple or compli- 
cated; or whether nature has one enemy or more. Names are abitrary things; 
the knowledge of the origin of a malady, and of its antidote, makes the 
genuine physician — all without this is real quackery." (p. 11, 12.) [Most 
excellent doctrine]. 

643. "The study of anatomy, and of the whole animal economy, is 
pleasing and useful; but it is no more necessary to mankind at large to qualify 
them to administer relief from pain and sickness, than to a cook in preparing 
food to satisfy hunger and to nourish the body." 

644. This has been ridiculed by many; "but nothing is more certain than 
that neither anatomy nor physiology ever taught us, a priori, what is good 
for either food or medicine, nor what is or is not poison. Experience alone 
has taught these lessons. And both history and observation tell us that many 
very accurate anatomists and physiologists are miserable practitioners of 
medicine. The Doctor continues: 

645. "There is one general cause of hunger and one general supply of 
food; one general cause of disease and one general remedy. One can be 
satisfied and the other removed, by an infinite variety of articles, or a few 
the best adapted to those different purposes. That medicine, therefore, that 
will remove obstructions, promote perspiration, and restore digestion, is suited 
to every patient, whatever form the disease assumes, and is universally appli- 
cable, and will relieve acute disorders, such as fevers, cholics, dysentery, &c, 
in twenty-four or forty-eight hours at most." p. 13. 

646. To these doctrines, except the one cause of disease, I can most cor- 
dially subscribe. I have demonstrated them as surely as I ever did a problem 
in Euclid. 

647. The Doctor, not being a literary critic, calls heat life, and fever, heat; 
and he shrewdly asks — ' Is there in the human frame more than one kind of 
heat?' 'Yes,' says the physician, 'there is the pleuritic heat, the slow, 
nervous heat, the putrid heat, the hectic heat, the yellow heat, the spotted 
or cold heat, the typhus or ignorant heat, and many other heats, and, 



182 

sometimes (calamitous to tell) one poor patient lias the most or the whole of 
these heats, and dies at last for the want of heat !" 

648. "Is fever, heat, or nature, disease ? Surely not. What is commonly 
called fever, is the effect and not the cause of disease. It is the struggle of 
nature to throw off disease." p. 14. 

649. This is the true doctrine. It is the struggle of nature to remove the 
causes, conditions, or effects of disease. It is the "effect" not of disease, 
but of the vital efforts to get rid of disease, its causes, or its consequences. 
It has but one cause, and that is not " heat," but the vital force. Its tendency 
is one, the cure of disease; though extraneous causes may obstruct that ten- 
dency, and direct its power to the prevention of the cure, or even the 
production of injury. 

650. The duty of the physician is to remove those "extraneous causes," 
and give to fever the opportunity to fulfill its mission and disperse itself again. 

651. " The cold causes obstruction, and fever arises to throw it off. This 
is universally the case." p. 14. 

The Doctor was much mistaken here. Cold is not the cause of small pox, 
nor measles, nor scarlatina nor erysipelas, nor many other forms of disease. 
In another place he said, "all disease is caused by clogging the stomach;" 
[not quite], and in another, "all disease is caused by obstructions." 

652. Only the last of these three is true; all disease is caused by obstruc- 
tions, of some kind, to the free and universal action of the vital force, through 
nerves, blood-vessels, or any other tissues of the system. Cold, and clogging 
of the stomach, are only two means of producing disease; but the agents that 
obstruct the vital action, are innumerable. On the next page he says, "cold 
is the cause of fever." He means the exciting cause, and it is one, but not 
the only one. He says, "remove the cause (cold) and the effect (fever) 
will cease." True: but the cause of fever is the vital force; we do not wish 
to remove that, nor did he, for he says: 

653. "No person ever yet died of a fever, for, as death approaches the 
patient grows cold, till, in death the last spark of heat is extinguished. This 
the learned doctors cannot deny, and therefore they ought, in justice, to 
acknowledge that their whole train of depletive remedies, such as bleeding, 
blistering, physicking, starving, with all their refrigeratives, their opium, 
mercury, arsenic, antimony, niter, &c, are so many deadly engines combined 
with the disease, against the constitution and life of the patient. Using them 
to cure disease, is like throwing a part of the fire out of the house, and put- 
ting upon the balance water, snow, and ice, for the purpose of increasing the 
fire and heat in a room." 

654. Instead of this, "The great principle is to assist nature, which is 
heat." [That is, whose visible sign is heat]. 

655. "At the commencement of fever, by direct and proper application 
of suitable medicine, it can be easily and speedily removed, and the patient 
needs not be confined long. In twenty-four or forty -eight hours to the extent, 
often short of the final time, the fever may be removed, or that which is the 



CRITICISED AND CORRECTED. 183 

cause of it. But when the patient is left unassisted, to struggle 
with the~cfisease, until his strength [fever] is exhausted, and, more especially, 
when the most unnatural and injurious administrations are made, if a recovery 
is possible it must require a longer time. These declarations have been often 
proved, and can be again, at the hazard of any forfeiture the faculty may 
challenge." p. 15. 

656. Dr. T. says: " The balance of power between neat within and cold 
without, or heat within and heat without, or cold within and cold without, 
produces cessation of motion which is death." 

657. And, of course, he bases all his treatment on the doctrine that "the 
inward heat should be kept superior to the outward," and that the current 
outward, or "determination to the surface," should always be maintained. 

658. This, he contends, cannot be done by any agent or process that 
directly destroys fever; hence his whole practice is directed to the aid of the 
"heat" or vital force in passing outward, removing obstructions and pro- 
moting healthy action; and he contends that the most favorable time to "aid 
nature" is when nature is making a strong effort to help herself. 

659. Hence, he says: "when the fever Jit is on" give diffusive stimulants 
to aid it in the removal of obstructions, and, at the same time, by relaxing 
enemas, cold affusions, warm and vapor baths, "open the pores," to "let 
out the obstructions," &c. 

660. Thus, he was a Chrono-Thermalist of the first water, but just the reverse 
of Dr. Dickson, who believed that the cold stage is the most favorable for 
treament, and then gave poisons to lower the heat, instead of stimulants to 
raise it! But Dr. T. did not refuse to practice or "aid nature" when she 
was tired and languid. He then gave her the more aid. Instead of Dr. 
Dickson's deadly opium, prussic acid, quinine and arsenic, he gave cayenne, 
ginger, cloves, the aromatic mints, <fec, and thus he cured his patients "in a 
very short time," and lost a smaller per centage of like cases treated, than, I 
believe, any other man that ever practiced medicine; for he seldom left one 
patient to attend to another till the first was out of danger. 

661. Though he said, "Disease could be removed by an infinite variety 
of articles," he generally preferred "a few of the best adapted to the pur- 
pose," and pointed out about a hundred others, that any one who chose, 
might use instead of them. He saw that, in disease, the system required, 
1st. Relaxation; 2d. Stimulation; 3d. Astringency; 4th. An alterative and 
tonic effect; 5th. A restorative; 6th. An antiseptic influence; and he selected 
the best articles for these purposes and arranged them under these numbers, 
so that any person could readily refer to them in practice. The index arti- 
cles of these numbers, selected as the best of their kind, were, 1st. Lobelia; 
2d. Capsicum; 3d. Bayberry; 4th. Chelone Glabra; 5th. A compound of 
peach meats, astringents, and aromatics, and 6th. A tincture of gum myrrh 
and capsicum; and he enumerated under each head, other invaluable articles, 
in variety of number and power, sufficient for the judicious and effective 
treatment of every form of disease to which the human family are liable. 
To aid these, he adopted the use of the invaluable vapor bath, a means moro 
effectual than any other one in medication. 



184 THOMSONISM, 

662. He has been laughed and sneered at, despised and abused, for using 
so few remedies: but Professor Harrison says, in his materia medica, that 
he can find but six indications in disease, and even these may be reduced 
to four! Prof. J. R. Coxe, of the University of Pennsylvania, said that 
few practitioners in America used more than fifty different articles, and the 
best of them did not use a third of that number. Lastly, the Allopathic 
faculty en masse have but three systematic remedies, the lancet, opium, and 
calomel ! All besides these are either subservient to them, or suggested by 
a pure empyricism! 

663. I do not desire to conceal the fact that Dr. Thomson adopted some 
crudities, contradictions, and absurdities, in theory; such as that man is 
made of fire, air, earth, and water, the two latter being the solids and the 
two former being the fluids, and the first of them all, life, if the reader will 
have it so; that cold is the cause of all disease, and all disease is caused by 
clogging the stomach; that the internal heat of the body must always be kept 
above the outward; that a fever turns inward instead of outward; that we 
must sometimes stimulate in high fever, and force as well as invite a crisis, 
and put cold water on burned feet and then a steaming stove to them, (p. 
116). I say, though he committed some such errors and mistakes as these, 
they were all of minor importance. 

664. The great fundamental doctrine that "fever is an effort of nature to 
remove disease," (42), kept him almost always right in practice. (Dr. Wa- 
terhouse said, "Had John Hunter, whom I well know, been born and bred 
where Samuel Thomson was, he would have been just such a man," letter 
to Prof. S. L. Mitchell). John Hunter did not carry out his principles (42), 
because his mind was not "emancipated from the tyranny of the schools." 
That doctrine blew, for Dr. T., to the winds the lancet, narcotics, and mercury, 
and every other poison in all its forms; and established, in his mind, a purely 
sanative medication. 

665. It is a wonderful, a most "astounding" fact, that such a man as 
Samuel' Thomson should have prescribed a hundred different remedies for 
disease, (many of which had never before been used), and yet among them 
all is not a single deadly poison, nor even a dangerous article! 

666. The only reason that can be given why reformers called Eclectics, 
Homeopathists, Chrono-Thermalists, and some Physopathists, have never 
been able to separate poisons from medicines, while Dr. Thomson succeeded 
so completely, is, that they adhere to the "fever disease" doctrine, and he 
rejected it. 

667. I most conscientiously declare that, no matter what m) 7- disorder, I 
would rather be treated in strict accordance with the directions contained in 
Dr. Samuel Thomson's little "twenty dollar" "Guide to Health," though 
some of them are quite objectionable, than by a council of one of the best 
practitioners from all the sects of medicine, who reject the great Thomsonian 
doctrine, and follow what is written in their books! 

668. I do not deny that, to him who is able to separate the true and good 
from the false and mischievous, the Eclectic, the Homeopathic, the Chrono- 
Thermal, and the Physopathic books contain much valuable matter that is 



CRITICISED AlfD CORRECTED. 185 

not in Thomson's work; but they contain also enough that is pernicious, to 
more than counterbalance all that value, to him who can not make the proper 
separations, but must take the doctrines and the treatment as he finds them. 

669. This conviction is the reason why I did not, long ago, review those 
works, and recommend them to the readers of the P. M. Recorder, and the 
students of the Physio-Medical College of Ohio. 

670. Once, when very sick of phrenitis, I called a true Thomsonian to cure 
me. He has since "progressed" into Eclecticism, and I would not trust him 
now to cure a diarrhea or a common cold ! which any Thomsonian can cure 
in a few hours, or days at most, more surely than David Crockett could kill 
a buck with his rifle, at a hundred feet! 



THE PHYSIO-MEDICAL PRACTICE. 



671. Lastly. There is a true science and practice, called the "Physio- 
Medical," the character of which is indicated by its title. Its "leaders" 
are not men, but the immutable laws of nature. 

It is the system of principles properly called physiological, or those that 
govern the formation and preservation of the organized body. 

672. Its doctrines are, that the human body is formed and controlled, 
preserved and defended, and, when injured, restored, by the action of an 
invisible agent called the vital force; that, when all its parts are in such a 
condition that this force can act freely and fully through them, this body is 
said to be in health. 

673. That any thing which may in any way interrupt this full, free, and 
universal action through the body, may be a cause of disease; that the states 
of the tissues in which this action is permanently interrupted, is diseased 
itself; that any such interruption is manifested by certain signs or symp- 
toms, consisting of 1st. Disturbances of the equilibrium of the action of the 
vital force, called irritation, fever, and inflammation; 2d, of a destruction 
of the tissue by chemical action, called gangrene; 3d. of a combination of 
these two, vital and chemical, called suppuration; 4th. of certain mechanical 
conditions called congestion, cramp, spasm, &c, and 5th. of the effects that 
follow or accompany these several disturbances, called heat, redness, pain, 
swelling, tumors, ulcers, cancers, &c. 

674. It maintains that these manifestations of deviation from the healthy 
state, dictate to the person affected, or the practitioner of medicine, the pro- 
priety of avoiding contact with or coming under the dominion of, all the 
causes that tend to permanently derange, or long and seriously disturb, the 
vital equilibrium. 

675. And when, by ignorance, inadvertency, or unavoidable exposure, 
the conditions called disease have occurred, it teaches the duty of aiding the 
vital force, in its exciting, irritating, and inflammatory efforts to remove the 
obstacles to healthy action, by means and processes that do not further de- 
range it, but tend directly to restore it, and to heal the breach, if any. 

676. It rejects from its remedial means and processes, every thing in its 
nature calculated to do violence to the healthy state, as lancets, leeches, 
cups, blisters; and all poisons, narcotic, escharotic, and mechanical. And 

(186) 



PHYSIO -MEDICALISM APPROVED. 187 

677. It uses those articles and those only, which, in their nature, harmonize 
with the organic tissue and the vital force; and, in the measure and mode of 
application required in any given case, directly aid that force in restoring its 
equilibrium; by judiciously removing or helping it to remove, all the obsta- 
cles to its free and universal action. 

678. It calls the ability of all the organs of the body to admit or mani- 
fest the full and free action of the vital force, Health. 

679. The inability of any organ to perform its healthy functions, it de- 
nominates disease. It teaches that this disease consists, essentially, in a 
fixed contraction of tissue; as cramp, tetanus, stricture; nervous, muscular, 
or capillary erethism or tension: or, in undue and permanent relaxation of the 
same tissues, as in syncope, or any great prostration; or, in a composition of 
these two, called an irritated or excited condition, as manifested in phrenitis, 
mania, fever, &c, in which the organs are unable to perform properly their 
offices; or, in a suspension of responsibility to the action of the vital force, 
as in paralysis, narcosis, &c; or, lastly, in partial lesion, as in the process 
called suppuration. Entire destruction, or gangrene, is death. 

680. It regards any thing and every thing that can, in any way, directly 
or indirectly, by use or abuse, deprive the organs of the power to respond 
fully and freely to the action of the vital force, as causes of disease. 

It regards the vital force as the only cause of so much of the manifesta- 
tions or symptoms of disease, as are properly termed irritation, fever, and 
inflammation. 

681. It regards as poison, anything and every thing that is certainly 
known, in authorized medicinal doses or degrees, to have directly destroyed 
human life, or is, in its nature calculated to deprive the organs of the power 
to respond to the action of the vital force in the production of irritation and 
fever; as, antimony, arsenic, mercury, belladonna, cantharides, cicuta, digi- 
talis, opium, &c, <fec, and rejects them in toto from its remedial means. 

682. It adopts, as remedial means and measures, only those which Allopath - 
ists, Homeopathists, Eclectics, Chrono-Thermalists, &c, &c, suppose to pro- 
duce but one action, a direct tendency toward, till it finally vanishes in, health. 
In other words, only those whose inherent tendency, like that of food, exer- 
cise, warmth, electricity, and the influence of pleasant company, harmonizes 
with the organic and conservative force of the system, and like food and 
water, may and should be given or applied, in the quantities and modes re- 
quired, till the objects of their use are fully accomplished — till perfect 
health returns. 

683. It rejects, as unsuitable and mischievous, any thing and every thing 
that can not be continually administered, with impunity and with benefit, so 
long as the conditions requiring its use, remain. 

It does not use opium for irritation, nor the lancet for fever and inflam- 
mation, nor mercury for defective secretions; because it must not use these 
means till the irritation, fever, and inflammation subside, the secretions be- 
come natural, and the patient healthy and strong. 

684. The principles of this Physio-Medical (or natural) system of science 
were shadowed forth in the B. M. Recorder, vol. 4th, p. 227; vol. 9th, p 



188 PHYSIO -MEDIC ALISM — APPROVED. 

346; vol. 17th, p. 130; vol. 18th, p. 108. They are very well embodied in 
the platform of the Baltimore Convention of October 1 852, see P. M. Re- 
corder, vol. 18th, p. 155, and fully developed, and applied in practice, in 
"Curtis' Lectures on Medical Science and Practice." 

Platform of Principles adopted by the National Convention, at Baltimore. 

"Whereas, There have arisen in different ages and countries, and of every 
sect in medicine, men of noble minds and benevolent hearts, who exerted 
all their energies to reform the errors and abuses of what was called the sci- 
ence and practice of medicine. 

"And whereas, The men of this description of the Allopathic school, are 
still compelled to pronounce their principles an "incoherent assemblage of 
incoherent ideas;" and their most efficient medication "horrid, unwarranta- 
ble, murderous quackery;" 

And whereas, Many modern New School Reformers of the same honest 
intentions, have few fixed principles of practice in which they can agiee, 
and no firm bond of union in effort for the promotion of medical reform; 

"It evidently appears to be the first and most important duty of this 
convention, to point out the generative errors of all the popular systems of 
the day, and to lay down in clear and unmistakable terms the fundamental 
principles of true Medical Science and practice, as guides to all who may 
desire to attain to perfection in the knowledge of the Healing Art, and as a 
common creed, which all can advocate and defend, and as a bond of union 
in effort for the promotion of this most glorious cause of science and human- 
ity; therefore, 

"Resolved, By the Reformed Medical Association of the United States, 
that medical science, pertaining altogether to natural subjects, must be in 
itself as fixed and definite as any other natural science. 

" Resolved, That the reason why medical men have not learned it, is they 
have attempted to base it upon the violation of physical laws, which are ever 
variable, instead of those laws themselves, which are immutable: they have 
built their systems on what they call pathology — or rather they have pro- 
nounced that pathology which is only deranged physiology, and built upon 
this error. 

"Resolved, That the Reformers of past times have failed to perfect their 
practice, because of the impossibility of doing it while they retain the false 
notion that the science is based on pathology, or the doctrine that physiolog- 
ical derangements are disease. 

"Resolved, That the fundamental principles of true medical science are 
not pathological but physiological. 

" Resolved, That disease is not vital action deranged or obstructed, 
increased or diminished, but any condition of the organs in which they are 
unable to perform their natural functions: a condition that permanently de- 
ranges, obstructs, or diminishes vital action, and in this sense is a unit. 

"Resolved, That irritation, fever, inflammation — terms used to signify 
increased, deranged, obstructed, or accumulated vital action in the nervous 
or vascular systems — are not disease, but physiological symptoms of disease; 
and are not to be directly subdued, but always to be aided in their ultimate 
design and intention in removing obstructions and restoring the nervous and 
circulatory equilibrium. 

"Resolved, That suppuration is to be encouraged and promoted whenever 
there is accumulated morbific matter to be removed; that gangrene, being 



PHYSIO -MEDIC ALISM APPROVED. 189 

no part of inflammation, but a purely chemical process in opposition to all 
vital action, and occurring only when vital action has wholly ceased, the 
associating of it with inflammation, and treating the latter as tending to ter- 
minate in the former, has been a source of immense mischief in medication. 

"Resolved, That it is the duty of the practitioner to reject in toto every 
means and process, which, in its nature and tendency, in authorized medic- 
inal quantities, degrees, or modes of application, has been known to have 
directly destroyed human life, or permanently injured the tissue, or deranged 
the physiological action, and to use those, and those only, which have a direct 
tendency to aid the vital organs in the removal of causes of disease and the 
restoration of health and vigor. 

"Resolved, That the agents of this character are not confined to the veg- 
etable kingdom, but are found in every department of nature, and to be 
' seized upon wherever found.' 

"Resolved, That though we shall exercise charity towards the ignorance 
and prejudices of all men, we can count no one a true medical reformer who 
rejects the doctrines of the foregoing resolutions." 

These resolutions were thoroughly examined and discussed, in a commit- 
tee, consisting of Professors L. Bankston and J. T. Coxe of the S. B. 
M. College at Macon, Ga.; I. M. Comings of the Metropolitan Medical Col- 
lege of New York; Wm. F. Smith of Philadelphia; H. F. Johnson of 
Mass.; A. Curtis of the P. M. College of Ohio; Dr. S. L. Swormstedt of 
Maryland, and Dr. Samuel J. Watson of Virginia. Also, separately in the 
general convention, (P. M. Recorder, vol. 17), and adopted with but two 
dissenting voices, [Drs. P. John and H. F. Johnson]. 

They have since been adopted, in substance, by the Middle States Medical 
Association, at Philadelphia, (in which Dr. John coincided); and by the 
Eclectic Medical Society of the Eastern States, held in New York in 1855. 
Individuals professing to be true Reformers, sometimes erring in practice, 
will not destroy the principles. 

685. In Physio-Medical estimation, the indications of disease are: 

1st. To relax constricted tissues so as to favor secretion and depuration. 

2d. To stimulate them, if necessary, to healthy action, to promote secre- 
tion and remove offending matter; and, at the same time, to lubricate drv 
surfaces and neutralize morbific ao-ents. 

3d. To restore and maintain healthy tone or condition. 

686. The first of these indications, is fulfilled by water, warm or cold, in 
fomentation, tepid, or vapor baths; or cold wet cloths, baths, or affusions, 
as required; aided by anti-spasmodic medicines, such as lobelia, eupatorium, 
catnip, asarum, sage, and the bland and soothing aromatics generally. 

The second indication is fulfilled by heat, moist or dry, as required; by 
capsicum, ginger, xanthoxylon, cloves, pennyroyal, or any innocent, acro- 
aromatic or exciting substance suited to the case. The lubrication is effected 
by water, mucilages, oils, &c, and the neutralization by alkalies, acids, and 
innocent astringents, as bayberry, and by resins, as myrrh. 

The third indication is effected by gentle, steady, and permanent relax- 
ants and stimulants, good food, pure air, suitable exercise, cheerful company, 
variety of scenery, &c. As to the manner in which the various curative 
agents and processes are to be applied, the true Physio-Medical science gives 
us the following general directions: 



190 PHYSIOMEDICALISM APPROVED. 

687. Aid nature. — -There are three ways to aid man in the accomplishment 
of his objects or wishes: The first is to remove the obstacles to his efforts; the 
second is to supply him with the means best adapted to enable him to effect 
his purposes; and the third is, to inspire him with a desire to exert all his 
own power and means in the right direction. So of every part, organ and 
tissue, of the man. 

688. Remove obstacles. — In all cases of disease, there are, in the diseased 
parts, obstacles to the free and universal action of the nerves and circulating 
vessels, which the vital force is endeavoring to remove. The whole science 
of Physiology consists in the knowledge of the character and uses of the 
organs and powers of the system; that of Pathology, so far as it is a science, 
in the knowledge of its conditions and wants; and the whole art or practice 
of medicine lies in the knowledge of the modes and the means of supplying 
those wants. In some cases nature wants only one, in others two of the aid6 
above indicated; in others all. In some cases, all can be supplied by one 
means; in others more are wanted. 

689. The clear and prompt discernment of what is present and what is 
wanted, and how to apply it, constitute the perceptive skill of the physician. 

690. In all cases of disease, or of obstruction to healthy action, the system 
indicates her condition and wants by certain irregular actions of the nervous 
or of the circulating system, and generally of both. These deranged actions 
are properly called vital signs or symptoms of disease; which are very improp- 
erly called, by allopathists, "diseased morbid actions." She also sometimes 
gives mechanical symptoms, as obstructions to circulation or nervous action, 
or muscular motion; and sometimes chemical symptoms, as suppuration 
and gangrene. 

691. The discovery of these symptoms, and the conditions they indicate, 
is called diagnosis, that of their course and termination prognosis. That 
which they demand, as a corrective, is called their indication of cure. 

692. In all cases of disease, then, the practitioner should direct his 
attention to all parts of the system, having it in his mind to detect any 
obstruction to, or irregularity in, the action of the nerves or the blood vessels. 
He should attend, 

1st. To the general irritability, impressibility and tenderness of any part; the 
derangement of the senses, or the mental and moral manifestations. 2d. To 
the respiratory and the sympathetic. 3d. To the feverish excitement of the 
whole system or any portion of it, as manifested by irregularities in the 
circulation, the secretions or excretions; the temperature, the color, the 
swelling or flabbiness, the smoothness or corrugation. 4th. To the suppura- 
tion or gangrene of any part. 5th. To the character of all these, as modified 
by the tissue affected, the velocity of action, the time of continuance, and 
to the specific agents that produced the disease (if discoverable). 6th. To 
the state of the tissues, as contracted, relaxed, irritated, paralyzed, &c. 7th. 
To the demands of the tissues, that is, what character of means they want 
to relieve them from their present ill condition. 8th. To what are the articles 
adapted to supply those demands; and, 9th. The most proper way to apply 
them. 



PHYSIO-MEDIC ALISM APPROVED . 191 

These are the things present and the things wanted; the knowledge and 
application ot which constitute, as above remarked, the chief medical 
knowledge and skill of the practitioner. 

693. The Allopathic School have discovered and used many of these 
modes and means of curing disease; they occasionally use them and do good. 
But their erroneous views of vital action require them to subdue it — a work 
which nature's means or true medicines and processes will not do. Hence, 
they have devised unnatural means — the lancet and poisons — the use of which 
accords with their pathological science, and can not be rejected till they 
acquire correct views of irritation, inflammation and fever. 

694. The Reform Schools, seeing the great mischief which the lancet and 
some of the most virulent poisons produce, have rejected those agents, and 
undertaken to cure disease by the use of the milder, and of opposite means, 
under the influence of the same false principles. These agents, acting, some 
for and others against nature, produce effects which they can neither foretell 
nor explain; hence they despise and reject nearly all principles, allopathic and 
physio-medical, and practice a blind empyricism; sometimes curing, some- 
times killing the patient, not knowing, in either case, the how or why they 
do it. Hence they all tend back to Allopathy; as every sensible and honest 
man will obey the dictates of what he believes to be correct principles. 

695. Simplicity. — The simplicity of the Physio-Medical practice has been 
considered an objection to its universal application and efficiency. It is 
rather a recommendation. The beauty and excellence of all science, consist 
in its ability to reduce confusion to order, to extract philosophy from mystery, 
and to bring all the operations of art within the comprehension of the 
ordinary mind. The human body is supported and health sustained, by the 
beautiful operation of the digestion, circulation and deposition, of a few 
organized substances, composed cAi^y of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, 
phosphorus, sulphur and lime. All the motions of all the organs are produced 
by the simple contraction and relaxation of their constituent fibers. 

696. Disease is a condition that prevents this full, free and regular action. 
Of course, all that is necessary to cure any case of it, is to remove obstacles 
to this action, and excite the organs to their proper motions. Whatever will 
invariably, promptly, powerfully and permanently, relax, contract and stimu- 
late, will remove all obstructions to vital action, and cure all forms of disease. 
As stimulation is nothing more than rapidly alternating relaxation and 
contraction, it follows that the two motions in different ways and degrees of 
rapidity, sometimes relaxing, sometimes contracting, with greater or less 
velocity, are all that is needed. 

Now, if it can be proved that any one article will, by different modes of 
application, produce all these effects, it will follow that this article will cure 
all forms of disease. 

697. The next step will be to prove that this is the best single article for 
the general purposes; and the last, that different modes of applying this one 
article are better than different articles for the different purposes. 

698. To all questions on these three points, Allopathists answer: 



192 PHYSIO-MEDICALISM APPROVED. 

Disease, though in some mysterious particular which we have not dis- 
covered, unless it be fever, &c, is evidently a unit; and it would seem as 
though a few good remedies ought to cure it. Well, gentlemen, what are 
your remedies? 

699. Allopatklst. — The lancet, opium and calomel. If these do not cure, 
try something else; (the best medicines are virulent poisons), always remem- 
bering to confine your experiments to means and processes recommended by 
"the Profession !" 

700. Eclectic. — Well, I — hardly know what. Podophyllum, saline baths, 
opium, irritating plasters, leeches, cups, &c, I guess will do, generally. But 
we "do not limit our resources." Every thing in nature is a medicine or a 
poison, according to quantity and the circumstances of its administration. 
Food may be made poison by concentration, and "snake poison a good medi- 
cine" by dilution. We must try the medicine. Nor are we bound by the 
experience or opinions of others, or by any established creed or principles. 
Medicine is a progressive science. What may suit a case of disease to-day 
may not suit one to-morrow. We must try one medicine after another till 
our patient is cured, when we shall know that we were right; or till he dies, 
which will prove that he was incurable! For we have the best of all the 
remedial means of other systems, and much of our own discovery that is far 
better! 

701. Homeopathist. — There are great varieties of symptoms, for each and 
each group of which, called disease, there are specific remedies: as Ars., Bel., 
Colch., Dig., Eup., Gera., Hell., Ignat., Jad., Hal., Sam., Merc, Nux. V., 01 
Ric, Plumb., Ran., Sa., Tart. Ant., Ulm., Verat., * * Zinc. But these 
are not one in a hundred. I can't enumerate for you; go to Jahr, there you'll 
find them, with all the diseases they have cured. For each case of disease, 
you must select the remedy that has cured the greatest number of the symp- 
toms present, and change it as these symptoms are cured and others arise; 
or, as the symptoms are reduced to those for which it is not suitable, remem- 
bering that your medicines are pathogenetic as well as curative, and of course 
that, if you don't select the right you do injury. Remember, too, that, if 
you choose the right remedy, the less you give of it the better. (Hering). 

702. Chrono-Thermalist.-We\\, there now; disease is simply a derangement 
of the electrical or of the thermal equilibrium. It consists in actions, called 
irritation, fever, &c, which come and go by fits, as agues and fevers. Every 
agent in nature has power both to derange and restore this equilibrium. The 
best agents to cure agues and fevers are quinine, prussic acid, opium, arsenic, 
colchicum, mercury, copper, lead, zinc, &c; "everything in nature is in 
some way medicinal to man," "either positive or negative" to the system, in 
both health and disease. But, the difficulty is to know what are the rela- 
tions of the medicines to the system in any given case of disease. Who can 
tell what will be the action of any remedy till he tries it? We must begin 
with a small dose, somewhere between Allopathic and Homeopathic, and "run 
sometimes through the whole catalogue" ("feeling the way," for each remedy, 
"if not appropriate does harm!") till we come to the right one, which we 
will always know by "the results!" [Empyricism from beginning to end in 
every case of practice]. 



PHYSIO-MEDICALISM APPROVED. 193 

703. Hydropatkist. — I believe in the simplest form of simplicity; that 
disease is a unit, (fever, &c.,) and that one medicinal agent, water, is enough 
and the best means to cure it; or rather, I choose all the "hygienic agencies," 
air, exercise, diet, &c, with water of different temperatures and modes of 
application, by which I can produce relaxation, contraction, excitement and 
tonicity, all that is required. I want nothing else. 

704. Dr. Thomson. — I taught, before Chrono-Thermalistdid, that derange- 
ment of temperature is disease, and before Hydropathist did, that water, in 
different temperatures and modes of application, (vapor bath, &c), would 
cure it. But I found many simple articles that would produce relaxation, 
stimulation and astringency, much quicker, more powerfully and permanently, 
and with less expenditure of vital energy to the patient. A great many 
articles will very much assist water to produce these several effects; and I 
use, in each case, any that are convenient, safe and sufficient. But, when I 
can't relax a man with lobelia and the mild vapor bath, "raise the heat" 
with cayenne and the hot vapor bath, lubricate with mucilages and oils, 
neutralize with alkalies and acids, contract the fiber with tannin and cold 
water, and "tone it up" with "No. 4, 5, &c, the patient would do well to 
make his will!" See "Guide to health." 

705. The Physio- Medicalist. In the main old Sammy is right. He only 
takes heat, the manifestation, for life, the cause of fever, &c, and cold an 
effect, for obstructions, the causes of disease, — mere metonymic figures, quite 
excusable in an illiterate philosopher — and commits a few minor blunders. 
His agents, lobelia, nervine, slippery elm, cayenne, bayberry, gum myrrh, 
and the like, with plenty of water, of a temperature suited to the cases, prop- 
erly applied and judiciously selected, as to time, quantity and manner, with 
all the hygienic agencies combined, constitute the true healing art — the ne 
plus ultra of medication. 

706. We may discover new means of carrying them out, and new modes 
of application, but the principles are the laws of man's nature, and they can 
not "progress." Let these be adopted and consistently obeyed, and no 
longer is there any trouble about the " secondary action" of the remedies for 
disease; no longer is the physician compelled to guess at the circumstances 
in which his "remedies may be converted into poisons," nor poisons made 
"innocent as breast-milk;" no longer to "lift his club and strike," (21), nor 
raise his gun and fire (27) "at random," thus "multiplying diseases and 
increasing their mortality," (26). No longer must he "grope without a clue, 
like Homer's cyclops round his cave," (22), but "emancipated from the 
tyranny of the schools of physic," (6), and guided by the true Physio-Medi- 
cal priniciples, he sees, at a glance, the character and conditions of disease, 
knows for a certainty the means and processes by which it may be routed, 
and goes to work in a scientific manner, with the same fixedness of principle 
and certainty of success, that he would bring to bear upon the practices of 
any other art, derived from the principles of its appropriate science. He 
can not, indeed, expect to prolong human life forever, nor to reconstruct 
the organs of the body that may have been fatally marred; nor restore the 
functions of organs that are totally deprived of the power to perform them; 
but he can learn to restore that which is capable of restoration, and he is 
blame -worthy if he ever does any thing to hasten dissolution, or entail upon 
his patient any chronic malady. 

13 



194 PHYSIO-MEDICALISM APPROVED. 

The Phj^sio-Medical school commends the use of heat and moisture, bland 
diffusive stimulants, innocent astringents, of the character that may be taken 
in perfect health, in all the ways and to the extent ever required in disease, 
without seriously deranging the physiological state. Thousands of means 
and many processes are of this character, and may be used almost indifferentlv; 
but some of the best have been selected, as those that may be relied upon, 
since, with them alone, disease is treated and cured with as much directness 
and certainty as philosophical and chemical experiments are performed. 

Indeed, it can be easily proved that the best philosophers and chemists fail 
more frequently in the performance of their projected experiments, than do 
the well instructed and faithful Physio-Medical practitioners in the cure of 
disease. 

The conditions of their experiments being right, and the operators intelli- 
gent and skillful, both classes of operations are sure to produce the expected 
results. But sometimes the instruments or agents of both are defective, and 
then the results in neither case can succeed. The chemist can do nothing if 
his instruments are imperfect or his agents impure. So the doctor can not 
cure a far gone consumption with any medicine, nor any disease with spoiled 
medicines. 

707. Thus, some of the differences between the Physio-Medical system and 
all others, have been pointed out. It has been shown that, first, it counts irri- 
tation, fever and inflammation as so many modes of manifesting an interrup- 
tion of the free action of the vital force, — of course not disease, but a sanative 
effort. Secondly, it never seeks to diminish the power to produce these symp- 
toms, but always to remove what prevents an equilibrium of vital action, 
whether that obstacle be a positive substance, as in retained secretions or 
excretions; or a mere condition, as in cramp, tetanus, the contraction of the 
surface in the incipient stages of fever, <fec. 

But, most of all, this science explains all "the doctrines of fever," in such 
a manner, that they are no longer "difficult to study," nor are the results of 
that study "very unsatisfactory," (35), nor are "the doctrines of inflamma- 
tion" at all "problematical," (36). In the light of these glorious truths, 
(these foundation stones of the beautiful temple of true medical science), 
"experience" is no longer "false," (19), and "the action of external agents 
on the body is" no longer "fraught with the highest degree of uncertainty," 
(20). 

708. The Physio-Medical science and practice is not the gift or invention 
of any man nor company, nor succession of men. It is the eternal truth 
and good, science and art of God, and His inestimable and unequaled gift to 
all who will thankfully receive it and properly apply it. 

Different individuals, in all ages and countries, have discovered and pro- 
mulgated more or less of its principles, and means and modes of practice, for 
which we should render to each due honor and gratitude. And since, among 
them all, I know of no one who has given us so much that is true and good, 
connected with so little that is false and bad, as what we find in the little 
"Guide to Health," so I know of no one who is entitled to higher honor or 
deeper and more lasting gratitude from all the sons and daughters of afflic- 
tion, than Dr. Samuel Thomson, the farmer doctor of Alsted, New Hamp- 
shire, who presented to the world his chief medical discoveries and inventions 
in the ninth year of the present century. 



PHYSIO-MEDICALISM APPROVED. 195 

Other men may more clearly develop these God-given principles, remove 
from them errors and crudities that still hang about them, and discover and 
devise better ways and means of putting them in force. But, I repeat, the 
doctrines themselves, the general deductions from them, and the character 
of the means and processes of medication, which constitute the Physio-Medi- 
cal science and practice, are the immutable truths and art devised by the 
unchangable God for the benefit of the unchangeable constitution of man, and 
can never "progress" nor be supplanted while man shall inhabit this earth, 
and disease continue to vex him. 

709. We are now ready to answer our last questions, What is medical 
science? What is quackery? and where can each be found? 

Science is knowledge; of course, what is not well known to exist can not 
be science. Erroneous theories are not science. "Science," says Aber- 
crombie, "is the established relations of things." But he calls medicine the 
"art of conjecturing," (1). The science of guessing, (1). Prof. Jackson 
says it is what is "proved by established principles and based on positive 
inductions." "Demonstrable." Of course, Allopathy, or "a shapeless 
•assemblage of incoherent ideas," (4), "hypothesis piled on hypothesis," (5) 
"ignorance of disease and of a suitable remedy," (6), "absurdity, contradic- 
tion, and falsehood," (7), can not be called science, or knowledge. Of 
course Allopathy is not science, (4). 

Neither is that a science which "knows nothing more of disease than its 
symptoms," (457), which has not learned to "select the proper article, the 
proper dose, nor time of repetition," (473). Nor is that a science which is 
not a matter of fixed principles but only of clinical practice, (418), which is 
based upon no rule "proved by positive induction," which "has no par- 
ticular principles to promulgate," (Morrow), which has no test but quantity 
by which food and medicines can be distinguished from snake poison, (413). 

Nor is that science which can not determine the "electrical states" [health 
or disease] of the system, (533), or a character of a medicine as good or bad 
till he tries it." 

Nor is that science which counts "fever both disease and a remedy," or 
ranks ginger, sage and catnip, with calomel, antimony and arsenic, and is 
compelled to fufill all the indications of disease with one remedy! 

But that is medical science which is "based on the laws of physiology," 
(684); namely, of the formation, sustenance and defence of the animal frame, 
and on the relations which external agents bear to that frame and its laws, — 
a science proved by demonstrations, and positive inductions from established 
principles, ( ). It teaches that natural laws and their powers and modes 
of action; and material substances and their qualities, are invariably and 
always the same, and that apparent differences of modes and qualities, are 
to be attributed to the circumstances surrounding them. 

That health and disease are positive states, not variable actions; and that 
food, medicines and poisons are such by virtue of their immutable properties, 
not the quantities nor circumstances of their use. This is the Physio-Medi- 
cal system. It is made up of principles demonstrated and promulgated by 
individuals, and embodied and set forth in the "dogmas of colleges" and the 
"platforms of societies," for the benefit of those who have not the time nor 
the means to discover, demonstrate and arrange for themselves, so that they 
may each learn, in a few weeks, what it cost many others centuries to dis- 
cover, demonstrate and develop. 



196 THYSIO-MEDICALISM APPROVED, 

What is Quackery? Answer. It is practice without the guidance of any 
therapeutic principle. (19, 68, 69, 70, 93, 94). 

Where is it to be found? Answer. In the practice on disease without 
a knowledge of its character (19, 22, 26, 27), and with agents, whose 
action is fraught with the highest degree of uncertainty, (20, 59, 60, 76, 94, 
105); which cut two ways, (81, 60, 105, 74); of those who know not the 
proper article, dose, nor time for repetition, (473); of those who use agents 
of which they do not know the action in any case till they try them, (566), 
and yet use them, though they believe them mischievous when not appro- 
priate, (533). In short, quackery is found wherever men use, to cure disease, 
whatever in its nature tends to the destruction of life and health. 



j£tp~ Directly following this work, there is another by the same hand, 
entitled "Synopsis of Lectures on Physio-Medical Science and Practice," in 
which the author has embodied the chief of these glorious principles as he 
understands them, and the best means and modes of practice which he has 
approved and used, and which he recommends to the careful study and appli- 
cation of all persons, sick or well, young and old, male and female, heads of 
families or communities, teachers and practitioners of medicine, till they 
can find a better in the work of some one who, more talented and learned, 
more discriminating and industrious, shall more clearly develop the principles 
of nature in the healing art, and more perfectly remove from them all that is 
erroneous in doctrine or mischievous or inefficient in practice. 



INDEX TO AUTHORS. 



Allopathists No. 1 

Abercrombie on medicine 1, 13, 21 

Experience; symptoms, progress 

and termination of disease 19 

Remedies 20 

Abernethy vs mercury 122 

Alernbert D' on practice 13, 21 

Alley vs mercury 101, 128 
Armstrong. Lancet and mercury, the 

two arms of practice 82 

Authors, sundry 331 

Bachus on fever 246 

Bartlett on medicine 18 

Bell condemns mercury 99, 131, 140 

Bichat on medicine 4 

Bigelow on "speculation" 24 

Inflammation 29 

Commends mercury 81 

Blackall vs mercury 123 

Brown on medicine 15 

Medical Reformers 332 

Beach. Reform combines all good 332-3 

The irreconcilable difference 334 

Health 335 

Disease, pain, fever 336 

Practice. Ignores Thomsonism, 

quotes true Thomsonians, other 

contradictions 337 

Character of 338 

Eclecticism 397 

Buchanan J. R.,lhe "literary" and "sci- 
entific" defender, (fee. 397 
Doctrines 399, 400, 403-6, 408 
Medicines made poisons by increase 
of quantity, opium too good to be 
rejected 408 
Narcotics 409 
Eight denials 411 
Medicine and poison the same 413 
Every thing medicinal 416 
No principles 411, 414, 418 
Only blockheads deny their im- 
portance 416, 428 
Platform builder 419, 22, 424-7 
"Sacrificed" the highest profes- 
sional honors, caste, and "person- 
al respectability." joined himself 
to an "illiterate" and "unscien- 
tific" faculty 429 
That he might finish the platform 430-4 
Compare 440 



"With No. 441, 2, 3 

"Literary" specimen 441, 2 
"American Eclecticism," J. R. B., 

M. D. 445 

Allopathists 1 

Chapman on doctrines 7 

Diagnosis 22 

Commends mercury 79 

Condemns it 142 

Cleveland on mercury 424 

Clymer on distinctions of fever 246 

Clutterbuck on fever 33 

Blood-letting 51 

Cooper vs mercury 110, 11 

Copeland condemns blood-letting 66 

Coxe, J. R., few remedies 662 

Cox, Hiram, vs mercury 145 

Allopathists 1 

D' Alernbert on practice 1 3, 21 

Dewees on blood-letting 59 

Dispensatory, U, S., on mercury 94 

Donaldson on medicine 16 

No cure for fevers 5 

Drake on Typhoid fever 18 

Mercury 100 

Dun^lison's chart 316 



Eclectics 

Dolly's Eclecticism 

Homeopathists 

Dudgeon against Hahnemann 
Principles 

Chrono- Tkermalists 
Dickson, discoveries 

Disease, fever 

Type of disease 

Remedies 

All substances remedies 

Poison same as medicine 

Action of remedies 

Disease 

Great law 

Unity of disease 

Fever — disease 

Medicines do and do not act 
same manner 

Lobelia 

Prussic acid 

Opium 



(197) 



397 
435 

447 
448 
473 

516 
516, 517 
516 
520-24 
528 
529 

529. 537-8 

530, 531-6 

535 
539 
541 
542 
in the 
544, 552 
546 
547 
548 



198 



INDEX TO AUTHORS. 



Dr 



Who can tell effect of remedies till 

tried? 551 

Alcohol 552-3-5 

Unity of action 556, 557 

Egotism 541,560,4 

Inconsistencies 562-3-4-5 

"Feel your way" 565 

Practice 567 

Not given credit for articles 569-70 
D.'s character 570-1 



Allopaihists 1 

Eberle on doctrines 2 

Practice and fever 37 

Mercury 97 

Diseases caused by "remedies" 146 
Chart 316 

Opium 76 

Enquirer, New York Medical, systems 

changeable 3 

Erichsen on inffam. 238, 241, 247, 284, 286 

Eve on medicine 18 

Allopaihists 1 

Falconer vs mercuiy 126 

Farre vs mercury " 124 

Fletcher on inflammation 250 

Flint, mercury produces scrofula 147 to 151 
Forbes, Dr. John, on Allopathy 18 



Allopaihists 



Gallup on opium 76 

Diseases 297 

Golphin condemns mercury 93 

Good, J. M., describes blood-letting 67 

Mercury 115-16 

Condemns it 116, 141 

Graham, Jas., on theories 14 

Graham, Thos., curses mere. 117 to 120, 129 

Gregory on disease and theories 8 

Fever 28, 34, 35, 38 



Water-Curers 
Gully on disease 



572 
592 



Allopaihists 

Hall, M., on blood-letting 



1 

50,61 

Dangers of 62 

Condemns mercury 81 

Inflammation 29 

Hamilton vs mercury 125, 127 

Harrison, J. P., on blood-letting 61, 63 

Opium 71 to 75, 219 

Mercury — a great blessing 78, 143 

Controllable 94 

Condemns it 81, 95, 96, 135-7, 143-4 

On medical reasoning 323 

Henderson on practice 17 

Hering on systems 11 

Holmes on inflammation 29 

Commends mercuiy 81 

Hooper, poisons best medicines 48 

Condemns mercury 97 



Universally prescribed 
Hunter on inflammation, sanative 

Blood-letting kills 
Hunter's character 



JVb. 

83 

42 

55 

664 



leopathists 








447 


nemann's doctrines 


450-2,456-! 


461, 






465, 


470 


471 


Similia similibus curantur 






471 


Cure 








487 


Health and disease 




488, 


490 


492 


Causes of disease 








489 


Medicines 






493 


496 


Error 








495 



Dual action pathogenetic and cura- 
tive 498 
Hahnemann's character 515 
Hering on principles 12, 472 



Allopathists 1 
Jackson on medicine 9, 618 
Johnson on narcotics 76 
Journal, B. M. & S., on poisons 48 
Journal, Edinburg M. & S. vs mercury 112 
Joy vs mercury 133-4 


Medical Reform 
Jones. I. G. 

Fever disease 




332 

377 

381 to 396 


Water-Curers 




572 


Johnson on perspiration 
Irritation 
Disease 
Health 
Inflammation, cold water 


586 
588- 
592, 610 
609 
611 



Allopathists 1 

Liebig in error 601, 635 

Lobstein on blood-letting, murderous 156 
Locke on Toxicology 314 

Louis on medicine 11 

Allopathists 1 

Mackintosh on blood-letting 69 

McLellan commends mercuiy 80, 91 

Condemns it 105-6 

Maguardic, blood-letting mischievous 64, 65 

Menzel on medicine 10 

Miller commends mercuiy 84 

Its effects > 90 

Can't stop its action 130 

Uncontrollable 138-9 

Morehead commends blood-letting 53 

Condemns it 60, 70 

Medical Reformers 332 
Morrow, disciple of Beach, introduces 

him in Cincinnati 339 
Establishes Worthington College 340 
Proposes union with Botanies 341 
Rejects mercury, antimony and ar- 
senic 345 



INDEX TO AUTHORS. 



199 



JVb. 

550 
351 
349 
352 
346, 



Morrow, sundry others indefinite 
The great rule of S. M. Reform 
The medicine to cure Allopathy 
Dif. of means and principles 
Nothing to do with Thomsonism 

353, 359 
Principles, from 0. S. Journal 353 

Rejects— what? 353-5 

What retains 356-8 

No revolutionist, principles 359 

No new pathological views 359-61 
Non-committalism 360-2 

Severe practice 364 

Principles 361-5 

Teaches every thing 365 

Rejects chloroform 366 

Justifies blood-letting 367 

Confusion of ideas about fever and 

disease 368-72 

"Recipe doctor" 374 

No fixed principles 375 

His reform tested, and Eclectic poli- 
cy detected 376 
Moitow and his practice 376 
The moving spirit of the E. M. I. 379 
Teaching, treatment of Terry 437 
Commendation of Cox 436 
Beach 439 
Baldridge and Jones 440 



I Allopathists 

Salmon on blood-letting, villainy 
Smith, Southwood, on fever 



Allopathists 

Paine on inflammation and fever 
A disease 
A cure 
Therapeutics 

Action of remedies; poisons best 
remedies 



Blood-letting 
"Anchor of hope' 



No difference between fever and in- 
flammation 558 
Pereira commends mercury 81 
Its modus operandi 85-9 
Effects of 101-4, 107 
Condemns mercury 113-14 

Water-Curers 572 

Priessnitz 574, 584-5 

On principles 608 

Physio-Medicalists 186 

Baltimore platform 684 

Principles 671-83 

Allopathists 1 

Rankin on opium 77 

Robinson, blood-letting, murderous 58 

Rush on theories and practices 6 

Diagnosis and practice 26 

Medical Reform 332 

Reformer, W. M. 332 



JTo. 

1 

57 
34 

572 



Water-Curers 

Shew vs medicines 583, 614 

Disease 592, 594, 614 

On vapor bath 607,614 

Inflammation — disease 612 

Science, quackery, where found? 709 



Allopathists 


1 


Thacher on medicine 


23 


Fever and inflammation 


36,39 


Blood-letting 


68 


Thomson, John, fever and inflam. 


30 


Trail on fever and action of remedies 


314 


Against drugs 


581 


Chrono- Thermalists 


516 


Turner on health and disease 


521-2 


Remedies 


523-4 


Treatment 


525 


Water-Curers 


572 


Trail vs "drug remedies" 


581 


Fever and disease 


593 


Not disease 


615 


Nosologies 


394-6 


True doctrine 


595 


In favor of medicines 


59S 


"Action of" 


598 



On vapor bath, vs "steam doctors" 

use of it 607,616 

"Foggy" ideas, treatment 616 

Poisonous 618 



Thomsonians 



619 



Thomson, Dr. Sam'l., the reformer 


475, 619 


Fever 


620-2 


Revolution 


624 


Poison 


626 


General medicine 


628, 645 


On heat 


631 


Component, parts of the body 


632 


Support of 


633-4 


Derangement of the system 


and 


correction 


636-7 


Food 


639 


Medicine always good 


639-40 


Heat, life - 


641 


One disease 


642 


Anatomy 


643 


One cause of disease [error] 


645 


Heat, fever 


467 


Not disease 


648 


Cold, cause of disease 


651 


Of fever 


653 


Assist nature 


654 


Fever don't kill, depletion 


and 


freezing mischievous 


653 


Fevers cured 


655 


Heat balanced, death 


65b 



200 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Thomson, aid fever 

A Chrono-Thermalist 

His remedies 

His errors and crudities, contradic- 
tions and absurdities 

Great doctrine of fever 

Keen discrimination, no poisons 

Difference between him and other 
reformers 

Better practitioner 

Reformer 

Allopathists 

Watson on inflammation 

A disease 

A cure 

Commends mercury 81, 

Condemns it 108-! 

Waterhouse on learned quackery 



Hunter and Thomson 



No. 




No. 


659 


Whiting on popular medicine 


5 


660 


Practice 


27 


661 


True science 


618 




Williams, description of fever and 


in- 


663 


fl animation 


246 


664 






665 


Medical Reformers 


332 


666 


Worthington College established 


340 


667 


Treatment contrasted. 




708 


Allopathist 


699 




Eclectic 


700 


1 


Homeopathist 


701 


31 


Chrono-Thermalist 


702 


40 


Hydropathist 
Thomsonian 


703 


44 


704 


,92 


Physician 

Differences 


705-6 


132 


707 


25 


Source of Physio-Medicalism 


708 



664 



GENERAL INDEX 



Absorbents 

Antagonism of 

Balance secernents 

More numerous 
Absorption and secretion balanced 
Absurd conclusions 
Absurdity 3, 7, 556-7, 562-3 

Abuse, of a thing 270, 416, 529 

Eclectic, of persons 437, 441 

Access of inflammation 248 

Action of vital force in inflam. 250, 278 



No. 

169 
173 

170 
171 
172 

286-7 



Allopathic remedies 


20, 


315, 544-5 


Eclectic remedies 


416, 450-512 


Chrono-Thermal 


529,531,533 


True, of remedies 




544-6 


Agents 




20, 270 


Aggravate disease 




512, 533 


Aids to mercury 




3186 


Aid Nature 422, 


654, 


675, 687-8 


Alcohol, how acts 




552-3 


Allopathic reform 




325, 331 


Allopathy 

All drugs poisonous 

"Alone J did it,'' Dickson 




1, 331 




581 




560 


American Eclecticism 




445-6 


Practice 




332 


Anatomy 




159 


Dr. S. Thomson on 




643 


Animal heat 




274-5 


Animation, cause of 




272 



Animalculae, Jones's 

Antimony 

Antimony and arsenic rejected 

Anodynes, the true 

Anthropology, Buchanan's 

Apology for Eclecticism 

A rteries 

Capillaries of 

Antagonisms of 

Structure and action of 

Effect of cold water on capil. 
Asthma cured Chrono-Thermally 
Balance of heat and cold, death 

Secernents and absorbents 
Baltimore platform 
Basis of Allopathy, Ir., Fev., 

False, never established 
Believed and taught, (Al.) 
Blistering, Eclectic 
Blood in inflammation 257- 
Blood-lett ing, approved 

Condemned 

Anchor of hope 

Best remedy 

Experiments with 

Eclectic, approved 
" condemned 

Murderous 

No criterion for it 

Sure only for evil 



No 

382-95 

3186 

355 

212 

428 

446 

161-3 

168 

164 

168 

166 

.546 

656 

170 

684 

153 

155, 185 

3286 

320, 357, 361 

9, 261, 316-17 

47-54 

5f-70 

54 

49,51,53 

68,70 

367 

353 

55-6, 68, 70 

59,68 

63-4 



Infl. 
5, 



GENERAL INDEX. 



201 



JTo, I 

Blood-letting worse than war £8 | 

Calomel, antimony and ars., rejected 355 j 

Capillaries, and their action 166, 168 

Causes 265-6, 269, 272, 308-9 

Of disease 177, 266, 316, 325, 329, 

489, 492, 504 

Cause of fever 191, 204, 278 

Exciting cause 231-2 

Of suppuration and gangrene 253 

Cause and cure of disease 696 

Candid investigation 427 

Cancer described 308-9 

Changes in the blood 293 

Described by Dr. Morrow 361 

Character of remedies 20, 315, 706 

Chrono-Thermalism 516 

A fever disease system 516, 522, 524 

Principles 516, 557 

Remedies 528, 537-8 

Improvement on Allopathy 571 

Circulation 166 

Equilibrium of 174, 226, 292 

Uses of 226 

Through inflamed parts 296 

Counter irritation 208 

Corns described 215 

Confusion of notions 245, 285-6 

Conditions, of tissue in inflam. 250 

Of disease 673, 696 

Congestion described 256 

Conclusions, absurd 285 

Not strange 618 

Contraction of capillaries 166 

Crisis 262 

Criticism, Dr. Thomson's 647, 653 

Cure, Homeopathic 487, 496 

Our plan, a unit 268 

"Cuts both ways" (iodine) 536 

Cupping, Eclectic 357, 364 

Creed maker (Buchanan) 428 

Death, balance of heat and cold 656 

Deception, by Buchanan 441-2 

Definitions of inflam. 243, 250, 253, 255-6 

Defence of Eclecticism by Buchanan 397 

Deniers of principles, numbskulls 428 

Buchanan is one 418 

Denunciations of dissenters, Al. 154 

Eclectic 437, 441-3 

Delirium, what 264 

Depletion, Allopathic 290-1 

Determination of inflammation 249 

Diagnosis 691-2 

Difficulties solved 295-6 

Different practices 699-705 

Difference between Al. and Ec. 352-3 

Eclecticism and Thoms'ism 352-3, 359 

Allopathy and " 359 

Homeopathy and Allopathy 5046 

Neither understands it 524c 

Allop. and Chrono-Thermalism 523 

Digitalis, aid to lancet and mercury 318 

Discussion of inflammation 238 

Distinctions of fevers, wanting 242, 246 

Dissimilarity of medicines 496 



Dickson in the fog 543 

Discovery, real, valuable 622, 673, 693 

Distinction bet. fever and inflam. 240-2 
Medicine and poison 20, 413, 529 

Dissenters, abuse of 154. 437, 441-3, 565 
Disease 175,206,521,525-7,672 

Ignorance of 13, 16, 19, 22, 34, 36 

Not fever 42, 504a 

Opinions of 32-8, 372-3, 336, 471, 488, 
490, 496, 504c, 511, 521, 610, 612, 
673, 679 
Aggrava. or diminution of action 521 
Causes of 177, 489, 492, 504c, 673 

A unit 336, 246, 266, 673, 679 

To produce 146, 200 

Locality of 207 

Conditions of 673 

Ir., fev., inflammation 372-3, 490, 496 
Artificial and natural 511 

Intermittent 381, 393, 516 

Diseases different 279 

Intermittent 519-20 

Aggravations of 512 

Changes of 535 

Progress of 19, 566 

Symptoms and names of 673 

Produced by medicines 146 

Indications of 674 

Diseased actions 690 

Doctrines worthless 2, 7, 16, 404, 408, 413, 
418, 420, 422, 424, 430-2, 672-692 
Eclectic 411-35 

Fundamental 664 

Doses small, often good, explained 505 

Done, what Allopathists have 328 

What they have not done 329 

What they should do 330 

What I have done 330a 

Drugs all poisonous 581 

Ducts described 169 

Dual action of remedies 450 

Eclecticism, American 445-6 

Eclectic principles 347-51 

Med. Institute established 341,420 
Reform combines every thing use- 
ful 333, 359 
Differs from Allopathy 334 
Effects of causes of disease 266-7 
Egotism, Eclectic 397 
Dicksonian 560, 564 
Electricity causes and cures dis. 526, 530-1 
Makes agents kill or cure 531 
Embodiment of Ec. principles 411, 420, 435 
Enteritis 304 
Equalize circulation 292 
Equilibrium of pressure 166, 174 
Derangement of 165-6, 291 
Error of errors 156, 165-6, 186, 192-9, 222, 
245, 285, 619 
Of Beach, <fcc. 336 
Of Reformers 156 
Of Hahnemann 454, 474-5, 488, 495, 
496-501, 504 
Of Dickson 521 



202 



GENERAL INDEX. 



No. 

Error of Thomson 663 

Excitement, vital 230-1 

Exciting causes 204, 239, 265, 269 

Excitation— ability— ment 203, 230-1 

Exercise induces fever and inflam. 239-40 

Eye, inflammation of 236 

Experience false 11, 19, 314 

Explanations of difficulties 296, 327 

Faculty, what they have done 327-8 

What believed, and taught 328c 

Errors of 192-9, 328b 

What not done 329 

What, should do 330 

Faithful report 344 

Facts false, facts not understood 487, 497 

Explained 495-9 

Fever, ignorance of 34-8 

Opinions of 30, 41, 152 

A unit 246 

Basis of Allopathic practice 28, 30, 35 

38, 41 
Described 153, 176, 197, 229, 336 

Distinctions of 246-7 



384 



Names of 

Bachus on 

Cause of 

Jones on 

Disease 

No cure for 

Nervous, cause of 

How subside 

Confusion respecting 

Clymer on 

Morrow on 

Periodicity of 

Not disease 

Sanative 

Does not kill 

Trail on 

Beach on 

True character 

Objections to 

Its indications 

Remedies for 
Feet, inflamed 
"Feel your way" 
Fog, Dr. Dickson in 
Face, inflamed 
Food, what? 

Made poison by concentration 

And medicines rejected 
Follies of the faculty 
Force, vital 

Fixed 

Available 
Freezing patients 
Fundamental doctrines of true medical 

science 
Gangrene, chemical, death 

Cause of 
Good of Homeopathy 
Good agents abused 
Grade of fever 
Granulation 244, 281 



234 

246 

235, 266, 278, 382, 680 

380-1 

30, 32-8, 612c 

16, 7 5 

191,204,235,382 

232 

245, 615 

247 

369-72 

516, 521 

504a, 612b 

504a, 616 

653 

615 

336 

229 

288 

685 

550 

298 

565 

'543 

299 

321 

413 

321 

285-7 

159-60 

188 

189 

631 

664 
244, 284 
253 
515 
270 
278 
284 



533 



JVo. 

"Guide to Health," good 667 

Hahnemann 515 

Headache 213 

Health 174, 200, 205, 335, 283, 488, 504c, 
521,609,672,678 



Beach on 


335 


Dickson on 


521 


Hahnemann on 


488 


Water-Cure 


609 


True 


672, 678 


Heat, animal 


274-5 


Life sustaining 


631 


Effects of 


275 


Equilibrium of 
Heart described 


634, 641 


161, 168 


Homeopathy, cannot condemr 


Allop. 501 


Asks how do medicines 


cure 504 


Errors of 


444, 448 


Good of 


515 


Human body 


159, 632-3 


How sustained 


634, 636-7 


Identity of fever and disease 


526 


Of cause and cure 


526 


Medicines and poisons 


526 


Ignorance 6, 7, 8 26-7, 


384, 403, 418, 




473, 536, 565 


Illustrations of inflammation 


298-311 


Importance of water in the blood 261 


Sanative doctrine 


247, 252 


Principles 


428, 418 


Ignorance of disease and remedy 26, 473 


Cause of 


508 509 


Dickson's, of authors 


and sys- 



terns 558-61, 564, 568 

Of cause of periodicity of disease 384 

Cause explained 509 

Impressions, false 211 

Impudence of Dr. Dickson 565, 568, 570 

Exposed 568, 570 

Incapacity to develop principles 428 



Inconsistency, Jones's 
Hahnemann's 
Dickson's 
Trail's 
J. R. Buchanan's 



395, 565, 616 

448-9 

565-6 

616 

416, 418, 428, 

430-2, 434 

24, 26-33 

40-1 

42-5 

522, 246 



"Ineffectual speculation" 

Inflammation, disease 
Not disease 
One 

Tends to disorganization or cure 552 
Destructive 40, 41 

What 28-32, 36, 41-3, 237-4, 298-304 
True character 229-32, 235-7, 240, 312 
Vital action 176, 250 

Curative 42, 444-5, 247 

How commences 229,231,248-9,298 
Subsides 232, 238, 244, 283 



Resolution 


238 


Suppuration and granulation 
Healing 


244 
283 


Localities of 


191 


Brain 


191 


Eye 


236 



GENERAL INDEX. 



203 



Inflammation, feet and hands 298 

Invited 236, 248, 298 

Forced 229 

Active 255 

Passive 256 

Simple and sanative 42, 252, 611 

Tissues in 250 

Blood in 257 

True cause of 235 

Exciting causes of 204, 239 

Erichsen on 241 

Bachus and Williams on 246 

Trail on, disease 612 

Illustrated 236-40, 298 304 

Inability to act physiologically and 

fully, disease 175 

Infancy, medicine in 11, 313, 384 

Indications of disease 674, 685 

How and with what fulfilled 686 

Insanity, what 264 

Institutes of medicine 428 

Inquiries of Dr. Morrow 359 

Investigation, candid 427 

Iodine cuts both ways 556 

Irritation 176, 203 

A blessing 209, 221 

Irritability 203 

Treatment of 210 

Irritants, excitants 204 

Irritation, inflam. and fever, in cause 

and character identical 176 

Kills if it don't cure 3, 13, 27, 56-7, 60-7, 69- 
71, 74, 76-7, 96, 117-21 142, 512, 536 
Labyrinth, practice a 22 

Lacteals described 169 

Lancets and leeches rejected 523 

In part rejected ' 353, 369 

Laudanum and leeching prescribed bv 

Dr. Morrow 353, 357-8, 36l2>, 364 

Law, great Chrono-Thermal 359 

Leaders of Eclecticism 331, 337, 419, 441 

Learned quackery 25, 418,473, 533, 70, 78- 

84, 95-7, 117, 142, 353, 356-9, 364, 

376,384,413,551,565 

Liberality of Eclecticism 408, 415-16, 418, 

421,424,437,441-2 

Ligatures to prevent phrenitis 392 

Literature, specimens of 397, 432-3, 437, 

441-2 

Lobelia cures asthma 456 

Mal-practice, 287 

Allopathic, see learned quackery 

Eclectic 376, 392, 408, 418, 424 

Homeopathic 479 

Chrono-Thermal 533, 536, 551, 565 

Water-Cure 606, 616 

Thomsonian 663 

General, and its cause 618 

Manifestations of vital force 189-90 

Materia medica 20; 332-3; 403, 408, 416; 

493; 523, 528; 529; 581-2, 584; 588; 

629-30, 640, 645, 661; 665; 676, 677, 

682; 699-706 

Medicine, principles of, incoherent ideas 4 



_Vo. 

Baseless 5 

Ineffectual speculation 5, 24 

Rejected 5, 6, 11, 15, 18 

Allopathic 1, 4-6, 8, 16b, 1 8, 327 

Beach's 333-6, 618 

Morrow's 353, 361-5 

Jones's 381-96 

Buchanan's 399-430 

Hahnemann's 472-94 

Dickson's 516-17, 520-4, 528-9, 535, 
539, 541-2 
Water-Cure 589, 591, 592, 597, 608, 617 
Priessnitz's 583-5 

Shew's 583, 575-7, 594, 607, 612 

Trail's 531, 593-5, 598. 607, 615 

Johnson's 586, 588, 609-11 

Thomson's 620, 661 

The Phvsio-Medical 330, 475, 665, 671, 
-696, 705-6, 708 
Medicines and poisons, same 493-4, 413, 

526 

Medicines, see remedies 

Mercury, greatest and best remedy 78-84 

Anti-inflammatory 81 

Prevents healing '81, 84, 91-2, 318, 424 

How it cures 81, 136, 138-141, 143-5 

Theorv of its action 85-9 

Effects 90-106, 132-144, 148-51 

Buchanan and Cleveland on 424 

Membranes, mucous, inflam. of 302-4 

Mean business 436-7, 441-3, 445 

Minor practice 320 

Murderous quackery 55-6, 68, 70, 76, 142 

Mortification 284 

Nature, aid her 422, 654, 675, 687-8 

Negatives, eight Eclectic 411 

Nervous system 178-187, 222 

Fluid 225 

Action 214 

Nervines, the true 212, 214 

New views of pathology, none 359 

Truths received 427 

Non-committalism 342, 360, 375, 424, 403-5, 

408, 424 
Nosologies condemned 5, 15, 19, 22, 527 
Objections, Dr. Morrow's 350-3 

To the true theory of infl. 288, 293-4 
Obstructions 175-6, 663 

Opium 7l-- 7 7 

How acts 319, 327, 507, 543 

Used by Dr. Morrow 356 

One remedy cures all 561 

Organization, cause of 273 

Pathogenetic and curative not under- 
stood 503 
Explained 509 
Pain, what 216 
To cure 217 
Wrong notions of 218, 336 
Is a blessing 221 
Periodicity, Jones on 384-5 
Dickson on 516 
Explained 393 
Perfect system 399, 406, 671 



204 



GENERAL INDEX. 



No. 

Pericarditis and peritonitis 306 

Phrenitis, what 191 

Ligatures to prevent 392 

Philosophv, Eclectic 408, 416, 418-19, 424, 

430, 432 
Platform, Baltimore 684 

Eclectic, rejected 418, 421 

Adopted 403-6, 408-9, 411 , 4] 3, 41 6, 
418, 420-8, 430, 432, 435-6, 440-2, 

445 

Homeopathic 

Hahnemann's 

Sanative 

Reformers unite on 

Chrono-Thermal 
Plaster, Morrow's 
Poisons 

Wrong notions of 

All drugs 

Excluded 

Admitted 

Can't dispense with 

Every substance poison 

Or not poison 



Policy, Eclectic 
Practice, reformed 

Jones's 
Practice, general 

Allopathic 

Beach's 

Morrow's 

Jones's 

Dickson's 

Buchanan's 
Prescription 

Dickson's 

Priessnitz's 

Water-Cure 

Thomson's 

Best time for 

Adopted 

Rejected 
Preserve vital force 
Principles, not new 

Of reform, none 

Importance of 

Distinctive 

Error of Homeopathy 
Prognosis, what 
Promise fulfilled 
Procuring cause 
Process of inflammation 
Progress of disease 
Quackery 25, 155, 324, 330, 702-10, 287, 
357-8, 405, 430, 496, 523, 557, 562, 
565-9, 599, 616, 618, 663 

Learned 25, 55-6 

Murderous 55-6, 68-70, 76, 142 

Reasoning, Allopathic 323 

Reform, by Allopathists 325, 331 

S. M. rejects 332, 348, 351, 361 

The means 352, 359 

Morrow rejects 350-3 



472-3 

488-94 

406, 432 

406 

516 

364 

271, 630, 681 

581 

581 

403-4, 406 

409 

408, 413 

413, 416, 507 

375 

375, 436-45 

3616-62 

387-92 

220, 699-705 

155, 220 

337 

356, 358 

387-92 

575, 565-7 

405 

568 

562-6 

583, 585, 608 

589, 617 

641-2, 645, 655, 667 

387, 659 

416, 682 

415, 418, 683 

422 

358-9, 365 

414-15 

428 

435 

474 

691 

313 

265 

248-9 

19 



Reformer, W. M., revived 
Reformers, Avhy not pure 

True, reject poisons 

Use medicines 

The greatest 
Relief of inflammation 
Remedies described 

Action of 



Buchanan's 



411-29 



JVb. 

363 
666, 694 
676, 683 
677 
708 
251, 3J 5, 326 
682 
20, 47, 315, 326, 450, 470, 
493-6, 499, 509 
Explained 327 

Unknown 20, 226-7, 509, 640, 529, 115 
Dual 456, 494, 529, 557 

Different action of 491, 556-7 

Pathogenetic and curative 508 

Rejected, lancets, leeches and cup- 
ping, Dickson 523 
Food and medicines 321 
Ignorance of 326-7 
Who can tell till tried 551, 554, 556 
True action of 337, 414, 548-51, 629 
Aggravate disease 512 
Causes of disease 316 
Every thing a 416, 453, 529-39, 553 
And poisons the same 529 
Eclectic 364, 366 
Allopathic 330a 
Chrono-Thermal 523, 528 
Contrasted 490, 557 
Quinine best 563 
General 628 
Thomsonian 661, 665, 682 
"Respectability sacrificed" 428 
Resolution of inflammation 238 
Revolution in medicine 359, 624 
Russelville lecture 347 
Sacrifice of respectability 428 
Sanative, irritation, fever, inflam. 247, 252 
Medication 406, 677, 682, 706 
Secretions and absorptions 170 
Serous membranes 305-7 
Scrofula 308 
Produced by mercury 148-51 
Scarlatina 302 
Scarifying 357, 364 
Science, what C. 709 
True medical, demonstrable and 
immovable 618 
Sclerotitis, what 304 
Signs of inflammation 241-2, 277-8 
Similia similibus curantur an error 457, 4G1, 

471, 495-6 
Similarity between Homeopathy and 

Ailopathy 500-2 

Simplicity of science 695 

Slate or condition 185, 205 

Slanderous opponents refuted 397 

Small doses 505 

Snake poison made good medicine 413 

Speculation, medicine a 5, 24 

Specimens of Eclectic literature 437, 441 -3 
State or condition, healthy 205 

Diseased 206 

Suppuration 244, 280 

Causes of 283 



GENERAL INDEX. 



205 



Surface in inflammation 


No. 1 

300 


Cold and dry 


166 


Warm and active 


167 


Symptoms, deceptive 
Few permanent 


19 

277 


True 


673, 690 


Systems, good in all 


666 


Perfect 


399, 406, 671 


Teachings, Allopathic 


328c 


Eclectic 


436 


Temperature, changes of 


167 


Test of remedies 


327 


S. M. Reformers, or Eclectics 


Of practice, Allopathic, 


Eclectic, 


Homeopathic, Chrono-Thermal, 


"successful results" 


562 


Theory rejected 


503 


Adopted 472- 


-3, 488-9, 492 


And Practice, J. & M's 


377-92 


In trouble 


394 


Not proved 


6,7,8 


Allopathic 


328-30 


Thirst, what 


262-3 


Therapeutics, what 


46 


Tissues, condition of in Infl. 


233, 250, 276 


Modify inflammation 


276 


Thomsonism, the first radical reform 622 


Beach on 


337 


Morrow on 


359 


Treatment, see practice 




" Try it," 376 


, 551, 553, 565 


Tumors, what 


282 


Type, unity and identity of 


526 


Ulcers, tumors, boils 


282-3, 310 



Uncertainty of Medicine 


No. 

1-18, 20-1 


Unity of disease 


246, 336, 526 


Power of cure 


526,541 


Poisons and remedies 


529 


Remedial action explained 556 


Union College 


362, 376 


Unsafe remedies 


426 


Use and abuse 


413, 529 


Valves of the heart 


168 


Vapor bath, Trail on 


607 


Shew on 


614 


Veins described 


169 


Velocity of circulation 


through in- 


flamed parts 


296 


Vital force, specific power 


159, 160 


Fixed 


188 


How diffused 


225 


Available 


185 


Manifested 


190 


Produces irritation, fever and in- 


flammation 


191, 204, 272 


Power, preserve 
Warmth and moisture 


422 


165 


Water in the blood 


258 


Object of 


259 


Importance of 


261 


Water cure 


575, 617 


Basis of 


575-6 


Rejects all medicines 


581,583 


Establishments 


580-2 


No platform 


584 


By whom adopted 


578 


Improving 


579, 582, 607 



Important part of medical practice 617 



The above Index may seem formidable to the reader; but, if he will take any line of it and 
read all the references in order, he will have a complete view of the subject implied by the 
word. Take, for example, " Policy, Eclectic." If he should not find all he wants under one 
head, let him seek it under another of like import, as Platforms, Systems; Doctrines, Princi- 
ples; Medicines, Remedies; Eclectics, Reformers; Mean Business, Policy; Science, System 
Mai-Practice, Quackery, &c. By this means any one can select a whole Lecture for either 
instruction, criticism or defence, and connect the parts together with a very few words of his 
own. Full as the Index is, it does not contain complete references on all the subjects. For 
example, to refer to all the quackery, would be to cite nearly all the practice of the pathological 
systems. Only a few "striking" specimens, (as 13, 27, 70, 74, 75, 117-20, 142-51), are pointed 
out. The Reader must study the whole look, and make himself master of every section 
Then he will be able to determine what practice he should choose, and what refuse. 



BOOKS BY A. CURTIS, M. D., 

VIIVO-^TJISTJRIV, CINCINNATI, OHIO. 

"A Cyclopedia of Medical Doctrines," being an Exposition of Allopathy and its 
kindred systems and branches, or "A Fair Examination and Criticism of all the Medical 
Systems in vogue," viz., Allopathy, Scientific Medical Reform, Eclecticism, Homeopathy, 
Chrono-Thermalism, Hydropathy, Thomsonism, and the True or Physio-Medical Science 
and Practice. By A. Curtis, A. M., M. D., Professor, for thirty years, of the Institutes 
of Medicine, in the Physio-Medical College of Ohio. 

This is unlike any medical work ever published. It is designed to make the reader 
acquainted with all the peculiarities of every popular system, and to enable him to select, 
from them, with a clear understanding of their character, that which he will study or 
practice or patronize. 

The knowledge of the best means of preventing and curing disease, is, to every human 
being, only second in importance to any other to which he can devote attention; and it is 
believed that this will, on the whole, contribute more to the attainment of that knowledge, 
than any other work ever published. 

"It is one of the most keen, pointed, vivid and truthful dissections of Medical Systems 
that it has ever been our pleasure to read." — Physio-Medical Recorder. 

Price, bound, $2 00; when sent by mail, post paid. 

" Curtis's Lectures on Obstetrics and the forms of Disease peculiar to Women and 
Children." — More than twelve, thousand copies of this very popular work have been sold. 
According to its principles and directions, the Author' has practiced, very extensively, 
for twenty-three years, without the loss of a single mother or a healthy child; and with- 
out permitting in his practice the occurrence of a single case of phlegmasia dolens (milk 
leg), or puerperal fever. Nor have there occurred but two cases of broken breast; one in a 
mercurialized constitution afflicted with ulcers all over the body, and the other that of a 
lady who had lost the nipple from a previous abscess. 

This work has also been equally useful to very many other practitioners, not only in 
its particular sphere, but in the treatment of most other forms of disease. A friend in 
Alabama, who had purchased many copies for his acquaintances, says: "It is a given 
up case, that the instructions in your Obstetrics, enable us to cure summer complaints, 
dysentery, scarlet fever, measles, chills and fevers, (fee, with almost absolute certainty." 
450 pages 8vo. Price, bound, by mail and post paid, $3. 

" The Botanico and the Physio-Medical Recorder." — We have yet some odd volumes 
of this valuable periodical, which has done more than any other single agent to break 
down Medical Tyranny and Quackery, and to disseminate and establish truth, and a safe 
and scientific practice. 

This work is made up of contributions from the pens of the ablest and best Reformers, 
and has the rare merit of having been so guarded throughout by the same Editorial eye, 
as to render it a safe guide to the student, and reliance to the practitioner. All its articles 
having been carefully criticised and their mors corrected, its pages are, and ever must 
be, deeply interesting and instructive. No where else can be found so much valuable 
medical matter so little contaminated with error. 

Of this work, the Editor of the Middle States Medical Reformer says: 

"This is the oldest and most faithful advocate and defender, in the Avorld, of the true 
principles of medical reform. While too many others have swerved and faltered and 
dwindled and died, the Recorder has always remained firm and unyielding in its war- 
fare against quackery and error, and its advocacy of sound medical truth. Through 
good report and evil report, it has out-lived the malignity and slander of its enemies, 
having now reached its twentieth volume; and promises to do as much service in the good 
work as in days gone by." 

Price of past volumes, by mail, bound, 7.5c; stitched in paper covers, 50c. 416 pages, 
double column 8vo. Price of current volumes, $2. 

Still on hand and for sale a few copies of "A Synopsis of Curtis's Lectures on 
Medical Science;" fourth edition, (the second edition was published in England). This 
work develops the fundamental doctrines of true or Physio-Medical Science and Practice, 
and points out ample ways and means of preventing and curing disease "with hygienic 
agencies alone." Not only a part of, but all its principles and practices are free from erroi 
and entirely reliable; and its remedies are all purely sanative (406). It will be out in 
the course of this winter. About 4.30 pages, 8vo., price, bound, single copies, $5; wheD 
requested bv mail, post paid. Address, A. Curtis, M. D., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
(206) 



THE PHYSIO-MEDICAL COLLEGE. 



This Institution, the first of the kind in the world, was Founded, Feb. 3rd, 1836, Char- 
tered by the Legislature of Ohio, March 6th, 1839, and established, perpetually, in 
Cincinnati, by act of March, 1840. It steadily acquired facilities for Instruction, and 
prospered in patronage and usefulness, under the superintendence of its founder, aided 
by his able and faithful co-laborers, Professors Samuel Curtis, Hardy Wallace Hill, James 
Courtney, and others, till the year 1849, when, with eighty-seven students in attendance, 
its management was resigned to the care of the whole Faculty. 

The session of 1849-50 was prosperous, but not equal to that of 1848-9. In the Spring 
of 1851, it was resolved to remove the Institution from its location, whereupon Dr. Curtis 
resigned his Professorship. New Professors and new doctrines were introduced, and the 
result was, that bad counsels and teaching killed the new movement the first session, 
(Spring of 1851.) Not willing that the Institution he had spent so much time, strength 
and money to rear, and which had done so much good, should become extinct, Dr. C. 
called to his aid other able men, and revived it in the Fall of 1851. It was now compelled 
to encounter a new opposition, that of some of its old friends, turned enemies by unholy 
and disappointed ambition, and that of a scheme of the Eclectics, whose " Policy" was 
to ruin all other reform schools by reducing the prices of tuition so low that few could be 
sustained. But the Old College stood firm on its first ground of correct principles and 
a pure, sanative practice, rising gradually above all opposition and depressing circum- 
stances, till now she is again supplied with an able Faculty as well as every necessary 
convenience for instruction and illustration; and offers to students facilities for the attain- 
ment of true medical knowledge and skill not surpassed by those of any other in the 
world. 

By the liberality of its friends there have been founded some hundreds of scholarships, 
which will both give permanency to the Institution and provide the means of Free 
Instruction to as many talented but indigent Ladies and Gentlemen who could not other- 
wise obtain it, and who, when thus educated, generally become the most useful members 
of society. 

This Institution has been in successful operation for twenty years. It was chartered by 
a special Act of the State Legislature, and enjoys all the rights, privileges and powers 
belonging to a University. 

The principles taught are the great Laws of God, as observed in nature; and its prac- 
tices, based upon extended and accurate observation of facts, prove them to be as positive 
and demonstrable as those of any other natural Science. Its leading doctrines are: 

1st. That disease consists in an inability of the organs to properly perform their natural 
functions, and hence is a unit. 

2nd. That irritation, fever and inflammation are not diseases, but physiological and 
sanative efforts of the system. 

3rd. That no agent should be used in medication that does not act in harmony with the 
natural functions; all articles that, in authorized medicinal doses, have been known to 
destroy life, being discarded. 

Apparatus. — The friends of the College have liberally supplied it with means for 
illustrating the several branches of instruction. Skeletons, Manikins, Models, Plates, 
and wet and dry Preparations, are among the facilities in the Anatomical and Surgical 
Departments, and enable the respective Professors to teach these subjects in the most 
familiar and instructive manner. A very extensive collection of dried plants, a large 
assortment of Anatomical Plates, and of natural Preparations to be used with the solar 
Lantern and Microscope; and a Museum of the commercial articles of the Materia Medica, 
aid the lecturer upon these subjects. Electrical, Chemical, Philosophical, and other 
appropriate scientific Apparatus, belongs to the Institution, and is used as required. A 
large and very choice Library is also open to the reference of students. 

The Institution, having been restored to its original buildings, on Third Street, has 
again the advantage of nn Infirmary in which students can witness, at all times, the 
vastly superior efficacy of its practice. This Infirmary is superintended by Dr. Curtis. 
and is supplied with most important cases for medical and surgical treatment, and with 
students to be prepared for college. 

(207) 



208 THE TIIYSIO-MEDICAL COLLEGE. 

Females are admitted to all the privileges of the Institution, which was the first in 
the world to advocate the Medical education of Woman. Ladies attend every session, 
and several have graduated with marked credit. 

In the ability and experience of Professors, the value and truthfulness, thoroughness 
and clearness of instruction, extent and quality of apparatus, variety and value of clinical 
advantages, and in liberality of sentiment, on all doubtful questions, this school does not 
acknowledge any superior among the Reformatory Institutions of America. Though the 
practical ability of the graduates who have, for twenty years, gone forth from its Halls, 
bears the most convincing evidence of the extent of the education here imparted, it is 
intended that, with the multiplied facilities now possessed, the classes of the future shall 
be still better qualified than those of the past. 

The Annual Winter Temi of Lectures in the Physio-Medical College of Ohio, com- 
mences on the second Monday of each October, at the College Hall, Cincinnati, and 
continues sixteen weeks. 

Circulars and further information can be obtained by addressing the Dean, at whose 
office all students should apply on their arrival in the City, without giving credit to the 
report that the Physio-Medical College has discontinued its operations, a report which is 
constant! v circulated by opposing schools. 

A. CURTIS, M. D., 

Dean of the Faculty, 
Cincinnati, Jan, 1865. 



ALLOPATHY 



AND 



PHYSIO-MEDIOATIOE" 



CONTRASTED 



BY 



A. CURTIS, M. D. 



CINCINNATI 
18 6 7. 



MEDICAL SCIENCE. 



Mr. Editor : In yotir recent num- 
bers you have so ably shown up the 
shallowness of the pretensions of the 
Allopathic fraternity, to a primary and 
cordial devotion 10 the public welfare, 
in discovering the principles of medical 
science, and applying the means best 
calculated to preserve or restore health, 
that I presume you will be equally 
ready to show what are the dogmas 
which that faculty set forth as the true 
principles of the healing art. Of these 
I propose to give your readers a bird's- 
eye view in a few short articles. But 
first let us see 

WHAT IS SCIENCE? 

Prof. Abercrombie says it is "the es- 
tablished relation of things." It is also 
denned to be a classification of truths 
that have an intimate relation to each 
other. I define it thus : 

A collection of principles and pre- 
cepts that govern the operations of 
nature or of art. Webster calls it "a 
collection of leading truths arranged 
in systematic order.', 

Now let us compare with these defi- 
nitions, the "Leading Doctrines of 
Allopathy." 

The distinguished Bichat of France 
says, "Medicine is an incoherent as- 
semblage of incoherent ideas. It is 
not a science for a methodical mind. 
It is a shapeless assemblage of inaccu- 
rate ideas, of observations often pueri'e, 
of deceptive remedies, and of formula 
as fantastically conceived as they are 
tediously arranged." 

M. Louis says " Physicians seldom 
agree except on points which are ad- 
mitted without examination." They 
look up to the opinions and practices of 
their predecessors or their popular co- 
temporaries and call these authority ; 
but this authority is worth nothing. 
Their pretended experience is almost a 
worthless thing — a compound of vague 
recollections." 

Lieutaud, Broussais, Alibert and 
Louis, four distinguished practitioners 
and authors in Paris, advocated so 
many distinctly different medical prin- 
ciples and practices- Can there be, in 
the human body, so many opposing 
systems of laws of life and health? 

In Edinburg, Prof. John Abercrom- 
bie says, the principles of medicine, 
the nature and progress of disease, and 
the action of external agents on the 
body, whether to produce disease or to 
cure it, "are fraught with the highest 
degree of uncertainty." 

Prof. Gregory says, "The greatest 
talents have been exercised for two 
thousand years on medicine, with the 
most devoted industry; yet upon no 



subject have the wild spirit and the 
eccentric dispositions of the imagina- 
tion been more widely displayed. 
Men of extensive lame invent hypoth- 
eses; they build theories, and distort 
facts to suit their serial creations, and 
yet these hypotheses are made the 
foundations of all pathological reason- 
ing" — the ground-work of all their 
science ! 

Dr. Brown, of Edinburgh, says, in con- 
tains nothing useful to the practitioner; 
that he spent fifteen years in studying, 
teaching and practicing it, and yet was 
totally ignorant of the true science of 
medicine and the healing art. 

Dr. John Forbes, the most eminent 
Allopathist in London, F. R. S., F. S. 
G., &c, &c, the ablest editor of the 
British and Foreign Medical Review, 
Physician to Princes and hospitals, &c, 
&c, lately abandoned Allopathy en- 
tirely, saying : 

" The most important inferences un- 
favorable to Allopathy are : 

"1. That, in a large portion of the 
cases treated by Allopathic physicians, 
the disease is cured by nature, and not 
by them. 

" 2. That in a lesser, but still not a 
small proportion, the disease is cured 
by nature in spite of them ; their inter- 
ference opposing, instead of assisting 
the cure. 

" 3. That, consequently, in a consid- 
erable proportion of diseases, it would 
fare as well, or better with patients, 
in the actual condition of the medical 
art, as now generally pjacticed, if all 
remedies, at least all active remedies, 
especially drugs, were abandoned. 

" We believe these inferences are 
true. We sincerely grieve to believe 
them so, but, so believing, their rejec- 
tion is no longer in our power ; we must 
receive them as facts till they are 
proved not to be facts." 

What a noble science that must be, 
the practice of which, by its wisest ad- 
vocates, does more harm than good! 

Come we now to our own country. 

Dr. Bigelow, of Boston, says •• Medi- 
cine is still an ineffectual speculation," 
which he proves by reference to "the 
melancholy death of medical men," 
such as Spurzheim, Jackson, &c. 

Dr. Whiting, in an address before 
the Massachusetts Medical Society, 
calls Allopathy "nothing but hypoth- 
sis piled on hypothesis. Its very prin- 
ciples were never established. They 
are and always were false, and conse- 
quently the superstructures built upon 
thenrwere as baseless as the fabric of a 
vision." 

The editor of the N. Y. Medical Ex- 
aminer says these principles "have 



often misled the understanding, per- 
verted the judgment, and given rise to 
the most dangerous and fatal errors in 
practice." 

Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia said 
11 Those physicians generally become 
the most eminent who soonest emanci- 
pate themselves from the tyranny of 
the schools. Our want of success is 
owing to two causes : 1. Our ignorance 
of disease. 2. Our ignorance of a suit- 
able remedy." 

Dr. Chapman said that medicine was 
so full of ''absurdity, contradiction and 
falsehood" that, "to harmonize the 
contrarieties of its doctrines is a task as 
impracticable as to arrange the float- 
ing vapors around us, or to reconcile 
the fixed and repulsive antipathies of 
nature." 

Dr. Samuel Jackson, still living, 
says, "The works that have served as 
guides lead astray from the direction 
in which the science progresses," and 
" the following of them in a servile 
spirit is most probably the cause that, 
after so long a period of its cultivation, 
the practice still continues of uncertain 
and doubtful application." 

Dr. Eberie said : " The judicious and 
unprejudiced physician will neither 
adopt nor condemn, unreservedly, any 
of the leading doctrines of modern 
times." And Prof. Harrison said : 
" We do not reason on medieine as we 
do on other subjects." 

Truly we do not, for, on other sub- 
jects, we say that every false, contra- 
dictory or absurd doctrine should, be 
rejected, and every mischievous and 
ruinous practice abandoned. In medi- 
cine, the Allopathists and their blind 
or ignorant and most unfortunate ad- 
herents agree with Dr. Harrison that, 
disease being "an unnatural condition 
must have an unnatural remedy." 
Hence they bleed to stop hemorrhage, 
draw a blister to stop pain, give physic 
to cure diarrhoea, poisons to remove 
poisons, and starve their patients to 
restore their health and strength. This 
practice, being very profitable to them- 
selves and ruinous'to the patient, it is 
very consistent, with their reasoning, 
to call those who follow it, "Guardians 
of the Public Health : " and their un- 
willingness to let the ladies get kold of 
it (which they well know will prove 
its speedy condemnation and rejection), 
is very consistent with their pretense 
that females cannot understand it \ 

Mr. Editor, I have shown from their 
own best authors that their system is 
not science, but is mere " hypothesis 
piled on hypothesis; absurdity, con- 
tradiction and falsehood," and, conse- 
quently, it will require more than three 
sessions of six months each to make 
science of it, even under the teachings 
of Dr. Gross; and that the ladies never 
could master it, even with the able 



instructions of their friend Dr. Pallen, 
of St. Louis ! But let them become 
thoroughly acquainted with the "ab- 
surdity, contradiction and falsehood" 
of Allopathy, and the "horrid, unwar- 
rantable, murderous quackery" that is 
built upon them, and all respect for its 
advocates will soon die away, and the 
toastings and feasings of Medical As- 
sociations, and "trippings upon the 
light fanfastictoe " for their amusment, 
will be few and far betwoen. 

In my next, which shall be shorter, 
I will show thespebific, the real "ab- 
surdity, contradiction and falsehood " 
on which all their systems of practice 
are built. 

MEDICAL SYSTEMS. 

Mr. Editor : In my last I proved 
to your readers that Allopathy is not a 
"science for a methodical mind," but 
"a shapeless assemblage of inaccurate 
ideas," &c, &c. 

In my present I will show what is 
this "incoherent assemblage of inco- 
herent ideas," which "the profession" 
have adopted and "christened medical 
science." 

I premise by saying that, though 
they have no science, they have a sys- 
tem of both principles and practices. 
The difference between system and 
science is this: While both terms sig- 
nify a collection of concatenated pro- 
positions that bear a certain relation to 
each other, the system of principles 
may or may not be true, and the rela- 
tions between them may or may not 
be just; but the science must be true 
in all its parts, and the relations of 
these to each other should be natural 
connections and dependencies. Hence 
all sciences are systems, but all sys- 
tems are not sciences. 

I contend that the system, Allopa- 
thy, is not science. I have proved this 
from the testimony of its best writers. 
But this testimony is only negative, 
because they do not know what science 
is, and, therefore, cannot tell what it 
is not. Hence, Professor Eberie said : 
"The judicious and unprejudiced phy- 
sician will neither adopt nor condemn, 
unreservedly, any of the leading doc- 
trines of modern times." Still they 
have a system of doctrines of this un- 
certain character. Let us see what it 
is. 

Marsha 'I Hall says : "The doctrine 
of inflammation is the most important 
in medicine and surgery." 

Prof. Gregory says: " The doctrines 
of fever are of paramount importance, 
and therefore constitute, with gren* 
propriety, th* foundation of all patho- 
logical reasoning." 

Prof. Paine, of New York, says: 
"The most important principles in 
medicine are those that relate to in- 
flammation and fever." 



In these statements agree the faculty 
generally, and their ablest professors 
and writers have devoted their most 
untiring efforts to ascertain in what 
these acts or conditions consist. 

Gregory says: "Fever has proved 
a fertile theme, on which the ingenu- 
ity of physicians in all ages has been 
exerted j" yet "there is no one subject 
in the whole circle of medical science 
which still involves so many disputed 
points." " It has been a favorite topic 
of inquiry among all writers on fever, 
'What is its nature? In what particu- 
lar state of the fluids or solids does it 
consist?' " "All their theories are open 
to many and strong objections," and 
they "afford but little help in deter- 
mining the plan of treatment." 

Prof. Thacher says : " Numerous 
hypotheses or opinions respecting the 
true nature and cause of inflammation 
have for ages been advanced, and for a 
time sustained ; but even at the pres- 
ent day, the various doctrines appear 
to be altogether problematical." 

Notwithstanding they thus confess 
that they know nothing certain of 
fever or inflammation, they make them 
"the foundation of all pathological 
reasoning," the basis of all their 
lectures and writings on the theory 
and practice of medicine and surgery. 
Though they know not "what is their 
nature," nor "in what condition or 
tissue they exist - ," they pronounce 
"fever and inflammation the two orders 
of disease that make up the great 
amount of human mala" 
the grand outlets of life.' 

Gregory says: " Eight-ninths of the 
human race die of fever," acute or 
chronic, and Watson and Paine say 
the same of inflammation. Paine 
says authors have laid great stress on 
the importance of distinguishing the 
one from the other, and yet have given 
no criteria by which that distinction 
can be made available in practice. 

Notwithstanding they assert that 
fever and inflammation are the bases 
of all diseases, they also say that fever 
often, unaided, " brings disease to a 
favorable crisis, and effects a cure," in 
spite of mal-practice; and Watson and 
others say that no " wound can be 
healed without inflammation." 

Surely the doctrine that fever and 
inflammation are both the bases of all 
diseases, and at the same time the 
agents that cure all diseases that are 
cured, must be "absurdity and contra- 
diction," and consequently falsehood. 
Yet Allopathists confess that on these 
propositions they build all their sys- 
tems of pathology, and by these doc- 
trines and systems they conduct all 
their treatment. Can such absurdity 
and contradiction be called science ? 

Dr. Pallen said only "men of reason" 
should be regarded as physicians. Rea- 



soning is conducted by syllogisms; that 
is, two self-evident propositions are laid 
down in such a manner that a consid- 
eration of their inter-relations shall 
prove a certain result. Thus: 

1. Our Creator ought to be worship- 
ped. (Self-evident.) 

2. God is our Creator. (Well estab- 
lished and admitted.) 

3. Therefore God ought to be wor- 
shipped. (Correct conclusion.) 

Or this : 

1. The rising of the sun produces 
daylight. (Well established.) 

2. It is now daylight, though the 
sky is beclouded. (Self-evident.) 

3. Therefore the sun must be risen. 
(Correct conclusion.) 

But the doctors reason thus : 

1. Disease should be cured. (Self 
evident.) 

2. Fever and inflammation are dis- 
ease. (Don't know whether they are 
or not, but they are indispensable to 
the cure of every disease.) 

3. Therefore fever and inflammation 
must be cured. (Not certain.) 

SYLLOGISM 2D. 

1. Disease must be treated with that 
which will cure it. (Self-evident.) 

2. Lancets, antimony, digitalis and 
veratrum will subdue fever, and "mer- 
cury will break down adhesive inflam- 
mation. (But these are not disease.) 

3. Therefore these are the remedies ! 
(Not for disease.) 

They are remedies for that which 
removes disease or heals wounds ! So 
it seems that Allopathy cures disease 
by the use of the agents that are the 
most efficient in producing it. "Ab- 
surdity, contradiction and falsehood." 

ANOTHER SYLLOGISM. 

1. "Neuralgia or pain is disease." 
(False.) 

2. Narcotics relieve pain, (by de- 
stroying the sensation.) 

3. Therefore they are the " Magnum 
Dei Donum" for pain ! — Harrison. 

Well did Prof. Harrison say : "We 
do not reason in medicine as we do on 
other subjects," for they have not yet 
"one solitary well established fact" on 
which to base a syllogism. They 
falsely call fever and inflammation 
disease, and fight them with agents 
that tend to kill the patient instead of 
curing the true disease. Hence, in- 
stead of true science and the divine art 
of healing, theirs is what they call it, 
a system of " absurdity, contradiction 
and falsehood" in principle; and of 
" horrid, unwarrantable, murderous 
quackery" in practice, that " destroys 
more lives than all that perish in war." 

THE ALLOPATHIC PRACTICE. 

In my first, I showed that the Allo- 
pathic fraternity have no science, but 
simply "a shapeless assemblage of in- 



coherent ideas," &c. In my second, I 
proved that their system is one of "ab- 
surdity, contradiction and falsehood." 
In my present, I will prove that their 
practice is " horrid, unwarrantable, 
murderous quackery." 
Their first syllogism on Practice is : 

1. Disease must be cured. (True.) 

2. Fever, inflammation and irritation 
are disease. (All false.) 

3. Therefore, fever, &c, must be 
cured. (False.) 

SECOND SYLLOGISM. 

1. Fever must be cured by "some- 
thing that will directly attack and 
subdue it." (False.) 

2. For this purpose "the lancet is 
emphatically the remedy. In cases 
where it is indicated, no substitute can 
be found or desired for it." 

3. Therefore the lancet is the remedy 
for fever. (Yes; if fever is disease.) 

But, let us look at this practice. In 
the first place, Allopathists have rot 
learned that fever is disease ; they all 
take it for granted without any posi- 
tive proof. But if they should prove 
it to be disease, they could not tell when 
blood should be drawn, nor how much. 

The venerable Thacher says: "We 
have no infallible rule to direct us. It 
is impossible, from the state of the cir- 
culation in fever, to point to any crite- 
rion for the employment of the lancet. 
The result is often very different in 
cases seemingly analogous. A pre- 
cipitate decision is fraught with dan- 
ger, and a mistake may be certain 
death." 

Professor Morehead said of the lan- 
cet: "There is no remedy for its evil 
effects, and, if not employed with a 
judicious adaptation to the cases in 
which it is used, it deserves to be 
viewed with somewhat of the abhor- 
rence that attaches to the knife of the 
murderer." 

Dewees says, this adaptation " has 
hitherto been inferred rather than ascer- 
tained." Morehead says : "It is said 
even of physicians counted eminent in 
profession, that, to prevent their pa- 
patients from dying, they bleed them to 
death." 

Mcintosh says: "No physician, 
however wise and experienced, can tell 
what quantity of blood ought to be 
taken in any given case." Some pa- 
tients are bled who do not require it, 
and the consequences are injurious ; 
others are bled who can not bear it, and 
the result is fatal." 

Robinson says: "More have been 
slain by the lancet than all that have 
been slaughtered in war." Surely the 
lancet does deserve to be ranked with the 
knife of the murderer. 

THIRD SYLLOGISM. 

1. Inflammation must be cured. 

(False.) 



2. Mercury is the most efficient 
agent to cure inflammation, — for "it 
breaks down inflammatory adhesions." 
— McLellan's Surgery. 'It prevents 
the effusion of coagulable lymph, 
and bridles adhesive inflammation." — 
Watson. "It deranges the vital and or- 
ganic forces." — Prof. Golphin. Hence, 
" It is very plain how valuable it must 
be in all inflammatory affections of 
important organs." — Miller's Surgery. 
" This is the great remedial property 
of mercury." — Watson. " It alters the 
globules of the blood, and diminishes 
the due proportion of the fibrin." — 
Miller's Surgery. "It takes away a 
portion of the life itself." — Salmon. 

3. Therefore it is a sovereign remedy 
for inflammation. 

No doubt of this ; but let us see how 
proper it is to "stop the effusion of co- 
agulable lymph, and bridle or break 
down adhesive inflammation." All 
surgeons agree that coagulable 
lymph is the material with which 
wounds are healed. " A cut finger and 
a deep sabre wound alike require in- 
flammation to reunite the divided 
parts." By it "wounds are closed and 
fractures repaired, and foreign and 
hurtful matters are conveyed safely 
out of the system." 

What a glorious remedy for disease 
that must be, which not only destroys 
the constitution of the blood, and pre- 
vents the process of healing, but breaks 
down whatever repairs the vital force 
has already made. Surely its adminis- 
tration must be, as Prof. Chapman 
called it, " horrid, unwarrantable, 
murderous quackery." 

FOURTH SYLLOGISM. 

1. Irritation must be cured. (False.) 

2. Narcotics directly subdue it. 
(True) 

3. Therefore narcotics are the proper 
remedies for neuralgia, in all its forms. 

True, if neuralgia were really 
disease. But it is only an effort of the 
nervous system t6 remove disease or 
its causes. Let us look into this: 
among all narcotics, opium is the 
magnum Dei donum, for the relief and 
cure of a great proportion of the mala- 
dies of man." It is "more extensively 
employed than any other single article 
of the Materia Mediea. It is in daily, 
hourly use." 

" Well, doctor, how does it work?" 

Ans. — "It acts, 1st, as a stimulant; 
2d, as a narcotic; 3rd, as an astringent; 
4th, as a diaphoretic; 5th, as an anti- 
spasmodic; 6th, as an anti-perisdic, 
and 7th, as a modifier of other reme- 
dies." In the process of these contra- 
dictory actions what effects are pro- 
duced ? 

Ans.— "A very small portion of it 
sometimes produces convulsions." "A 
twentieth part of a grain has produced 



fits." " Three drops of laudanum to a 
child fourteen months old wasf flowed 
by convulsions and death in six hours." 
" Another child died in nine hours 
after taking four drops." "I t stupifies, 
and forces an unnatural sleep." It en- 
hances nervousness." "If the brain 
is effected, it increases the disease." 
"Inflammation of the stomach and 
bowels may be made incurable by an 
opiate." "It is hurtful because contra- 
ry to nature." " Paregoric, Baternan's 
man's drops, laudanum lay the found- 
ation for inflammations, convulsions, 
and dropsy of the brain." " A small 
dose of paregoric will often produce 
fits." " The intellect of a child will be 
impaired by it, although years may 
elapse after the practice is abandoned." 
"A permanent, ill-conditioned state of 
the nervous system is induced by the 
repeated giving of opiates to infants, 
that never, through all subsequent life, 
is entirely got rid of by the most stren- 
uous endeavor." — Harrison. 

" Innumerable infants have been 
irretrievably ruined by the popular 
narcotics nostrums." — Eberle. 

"For forty years, opium has done 
seven times as much injury as good in 
the civilized world." — Prof. J. A. Gal- 
lup. 

"The whole tribe of narcotics, as 
opium, hyoscyamus, hop and laurel 
water or prussic acid, are dangerous 
sedatives presenting allurements to the 
unwary with all the-suavity and meek- 
ness of the serpent of Eden, and the 
deception is too often equally fatal." — 
Dr, Johnson. 

"Cases are on record which show 
that a person may recover from the 
first symptoms of poisoning, and yet 
ultimately die from the effects of a 
single dose." — Rankin. 

Here we see that the third great 
agent of the Allopathic system is true 
to the dogma of its doctrines. It tends 
in all cases, like the lancet and mercu- 
ry, to produce disease and death, from 
which it is prevented only by the re- 
sistance of the sys'em, and a very cau- 
tious use of it. 

To sum up the treatment : Morehead 
compares the lancet, when not "judi- 
ciously used," to the "knife of a mur- 
derer," while Mcintosh, Good, Mc- 
Guaidie, Thatcher, &c, declare that 
that there is no " infallible guide" to 
the judicious use. And hence, to pre- 
vent patients from dying, these doctors 
have bled many to death. 

Mercury is considered "the great anti- 
inflammatory anti-febrile agent of the 
Materia 3fedica, v " is sent for on all 
occasions." Yet, though no one can 
control its action, the giving of it to 
salivate, is " horrid, unwarrantable, 
murderous quackery." And, finally, 
that narcotics, the last of the trinity of 
Allopathic agents, does seven times as 



much harm as good, "irretrievably ru- 
ining innumerable infants, entailing 
upon them an ill condition of body of 
which they are never rid through all 
subsequent life." 

Is it any wonder that the advocates 
of such a system of making disease 
(Allopathy) so profitable to the makers 
and ruinous to the patients, should 
oppose the teaching of it to sensible 
women, when it is self-evident that 
this teaching would insure its univer- 
sal rejection, and mark with deception, 
avarice and cruelty all those who ad- 
vocate and practise this misery and 
death producing system? Should not 
its intelligent advocates blush for 
shame to hear this system of principles 
of bloodshed and poisoning called sci- 
ence, and its murderous practice the 
Divine Art of healing diseases ? 

Medical Science. 

In the testimonies adduced in my 
former article, we see the proof of Dr. 
Harrison's statement, that Allopathists 
11 do not reason on medicine as they do 
on other subjects," and of that other 
equally true declajation of the cele- 
brated Alex. Tweedie, "Medicine has 
never yet known the fertilizing influ- 
ence of the inductive logic." 

Still, they all feel that there must be 
such a science as medicine, as well as 
chemistry and natural philosophy. 
Thus, Dr. Whiting, in his lecture be- 
fore the Massachusetts Medical Socie- 
ty, said there would yet be discovered 
a science of meeicine that will " stand 
a tower of strength unharmed by the 
rude shocks of opposition's bursting 
waves through all succeeding time ; 
and Prof. Samuel Jackson said, "Med- 
icine is a demonstrative science, and 
all its processes should proceed from 
established principles and be based on 
positive deductions. That the pro- 
ceedings of medicine are not of this 
character, is to be attributed to the 
manner of its cultivation, not to the 
nature ot the science itself." 

Thus, it is evident that, like the 
Greeks in religion, the Doctors in Med- 
icine have " an unknown God," to 
whom they acknowledge they wonld 
render homage "if haply they might 
find him." We therefore now address 
them in the appropriate language of 
the logical Apostle, " What therefore 
ye ignorantly worship, that declare we 
unto you." Paul to the Athenians. 

THE TRUE MEDICAL SYLLOGISMS. 

Syllogism 1st 

1. Disease should be cured.— Self-evi- 
dent, 

2. Inability of tissues to perform, 
freely and fully, their appropriate func- 
tions, is disease. — Fully demonstrated 
by Reformers. 



6 



3. Therefore this inability must be 
removed . — Conclusive. 

Syllogism 2d. 

1. Disease is an effect of some cause. 
—Self-evident. 

2. That cause is obstruction to full 
and free vital action. — Demonstrated 
by Reformers. 

3. Therefore, all obstructions to such 
action, must be removed. — Conclusive. 

Syllogism 3. 

1. The object of medication is not to 
kill, but but to cure; not to destroy 
health, but to preserve it. — Self-evi- 
dent. 

2. Lancets and poisons destroy health 
and life. — Demonstrated by the Allo- 
pathic Practice. But innocent relax- 
ants, stimulants and tonics, remove 
obstructions to vital actions, and aid 
the tissues in recovering their health. — 
Demonstrated by the Physio Medical. 

3. Therefore, not blood-letting and 
poisons, but innocent relaxants, stimu- 
lants and tonics, are the only proper 
agents to prevent or cure disease. — Q,. 
E. D. 

Remarks. — Though there are many 
theories of disease among medical men, 
they are all based on the doctrines of 
iritation fever and inflammation. Allo- 
pathists regard them as disease, and 
right them with lancets, blisters, setons, 
poisons, freezing and starving. Phy- 
sio-medicalists regard them as reactive 
efforts of the nervous and of the circu- 
culating system to remove obstructions 
to free, full, universal action, and treat 
them with innocent but powerful re- 
laxants, stimulants, emollients and 
tonics; and with good food in reasona- 
ble messure, pure water, air and exer- 
cise, rejecting every means appropriate 
to Allopathy. 

Both parties believe in the unity of 
disease; but Allopathists consider it 
fever and inflammation, while Physio- 
Medicalists regard it as the inability of 
tissues to perform their healthy func- 
tions. The "diseased action" or pa- 
thology Allopathists, is the deranged 
but recuperative phiysiology of the 
Physio-Medicatist. Each practices ac- 
cording to his fair. When they both 
11 find Nature fighting with disease, 
the blind man armed with a club, that 
is the Allypathist, lifts his club and 
strikes at random. If he strikes di- 
sease he kills disease; if he strikes 
nature he kills nature." 

But he generally fosters the disease, 
and either kills the patient shortly, or 
wears out "the fever" and induces a 
chronic state of diseases, as dyspepsia, 
neuralgia, rheumatisms, gastritis, 
hepatitis, bronchitis, orhydrops, (drop- 
sy;, in which the poor, deluded patient 



"drags out a miserable existence in 
extreme debility and emaciation, till 
death, in a few years, with a friendly 
stroke, puts a period to his sufferings." 

But thePhysio-Medicalist, regarding 
irritation, fever and inflamation, as 
extra efferts of the system to remove 
disease or its causes, aids them by the 
use of agents that act in harmony with 
their intentions. He removes obstruc- 
tions and the derangements in Physi- 
ology are soon regulated. A few days, 
or a few hours, if he is called in sea- 
son, cure up his acute cases ; and then 
the great burden of his labors is devo- 
ted to the cure of those poor duped and 
poisoned victims of Allopathy who are 
"dragging out a miserable existence 
in extreme debility and emaciation, 
with a total loss of teeth and appetite," 
&c, in which hopeless cases he so often 
succeeds, that the result is regarded as 
little less than miraculous. It is this 
burning reproach to the Allopathic 
practice, that incites in its advocates 
such hostility to reform, and such un- 
tiring efforts to disgrace and extinguish 
it. 

I have said that ail systems of prac- 
tice are either Allopathic or Physio- 
Medical. Though Allopathy is not 
always Homeopathy, Homeopathy is 
always Allopathy, for a similar disease 
must be another. They both regard 
the vital manifestations as diseas, and 
both use pathogenetic agents to cure it. 
But not knowing what disease is, they 
also use physio-medical agents, as lo- 
belia, cayenne, ginger, spearmint, in 
every instance of which they practice 
quackery, as does also the Physio-med- 
icalist whenever he gives any poison 
as opium, belladoma, strychnine, 
mercury, &c, or cups or draws a blis- 
ter. And for this quackery both classes 
should be severely condemned ; for it 
is because the Allopathist sometimes 
gives medicine and cures, while the 
Physio-medicalist sometimes gives poi- 
sons and nature cures in spite of the 
quackery of either, that the masses of 
society cannot judge of the systems, so 
as to decide correctly of their charac- 
ter. 

There are other practitioners whose 
whole practice is quackery, because 
they are not controlled by any princi- 
ple. 

In the light of what is here published, 
the reader can judge for himself of the 
character of Allopathy, and of Physio- 
medicalism, and of all the sal magun dies 
which are made up of promiscuous pil- 
ferings from these systems. Also 
which is the most easily learned and 
practiced, the most successful in cur- 
ing the sick, and, of course, the most 
worthy of popular favor, 

A. Cuktis. 



The American Medical Association 
Against Female Physicians. 

Dr. Atlee called from the table his 
preamble and resolutions proposing to 
recognize female physicians by the 
same rules and limitations as other 
physicians. The vote on taking them 
from the table was 57 ayes to 52 noes. 
Dr. Pall en, of St. Louis, said: "At 
home I am considered a friend of the 
ladies, and nothing would give me 
greater pleasure than to advocate their 
claims where it could be done legiti- 
mately. But in Europe, Austria, 
France and Prussia, the practice of 
medicine and obstetrics by females has 
proved a total failure. It is contrary to 
the spirit of our profession to have any 
body connected with it except men, 
and men of reason. Nature has so or- 
dained the female that, at certain pe- 
riods, she is absolutely unfitted to any 
thing, consequently, could not attend 
to the legitimate duties of the physi- 
cians. Another serious objection — no 
person can practice medicine or surge- 
ry without a knowledge of paralogi- 
cal anatomy, and no woman having 
sufficient delicacy to enter the sick 
chamber, would enter the dissecting 
room to obtain such knowledge. Im- 
agine a lady with her style of dress 
flitting around in the charnel house, or 
with microscopes diving into cancel- 
cells. Pass such a resolution as this, 
and a thousand women about the 
country, practising specialities con- 
nected with the female organization, 
will demand recognition at our hands, 
and claim authority for their business 
pretensions. I think the resolution 
should be voted down, because it is 
Contrary to the laws of nature for wo- 
men to practice medicine." Dr. Da- 
vis, of Illinois, expressed similar views. 

Dr. Bowditch, a venerable and res- 
pectable member of the profession, at- 
tempted to come to the defense of the 
ladies, but was met with cries of 
"question, question," and a few hisses, 
with a manifest determination not to 
hear him. But he persisted until he 
was enabled to vindicate the right and 
ability of woman to practice the heal- 
ing art equal to any man on the floor 
of the Association. He was finally 
choked down and the resolution voted 
down, with not more than a dozen 
ayes. 

Our female friends see, in the above, 
a fixed and obstinate determination of 
the Allopathic Doctors of "America," 
to oppose the instruction of females in 
Anatomy, Physiology and the Science 
of Life. What other cause can be 
assigned for this than the full convic- 
tion that this education would anni- 
hilate nearly all the "dignity," the 
"honor" and "compensation" which 
they now derive from their destructive 
practice? For who can suppose that 



sensible women, who should learn the 
barbarous nature and tendency of that 
practice, would afterwards submit to 
it? 

What sort of a friend to the "ladies" 
is lie who refuses them encouragement 
in their efforts to learn their liabilities 
to suffering, and how to prevent or re- 
move it? " Contrary to the laws of 
nature for women to practice medi- 
cine," and make them do all the 
practice, you merely prescribing ! 
Yes ! It would nullify the law that 
authorizes us to use the means to kill 
under the pretense to cure ! Does Dr. 
Pallen show his friendship to the 
ladies by teaching them that lacing 
of their body deprives them of a large 
portion of the oxygen which is indis- 
pensable to the support of their bodies, 
and then of the power to sustain their 
health, or prevent or cure disease? 
Does he strive to correct any one of 
their disease-producing habits ? No, 
for that would compromise his " dig- 
nity," and reduce his " compensa- 
tions ; " the matters that chiefly occu- 
pied the attention of the great "Asso- 
ciation." 

Let the ladies be assured that they 
will never secure any medical reform 
from Allopathists ; and let them aid 
the Physio-Medicalists in their praise- 
worthy and earnest efforts to build up 
colleges where that reform can be com- 
menced and secured. Let them con- 
tribute twenty-five thousand dollars to 
our college, and it shall be devoted 
exclusively to them ; for five months 
in each year they shall be taught how 
to prevent or cure disease better than 
does Dr. Pallen, Dr. Davis, or any 
other member of the " American Med- 
ical Association." The objection to 
their "recognition " as practitioners is 
a mere covert humbug. We want 
them for their own life preservers, and 
those of their families, if they have 
any; if not, of any whom they please. 
If it is indelicate for women to study 
the dead by themselves, how much 
more so to see, as they often do, the 
mangling of the living body, by heart- 
less men before their faces ? Out upon 
such inhuman selfishness. Females 
are the most efficient doctors. Edu- 
cate them for this purpose, and dismiss 
the men. 



For the quotations in this Pamphlet, 
references will be found in " Curtis' 
Criticisms on the Different Systems of 
Medicine in vogue." Price $2. 

For the true Science and Practice of 
Medicine, see " Curtis' Theory and 
Practice." Price $5. Also "Lectures 
on Obstetrics," &c. Price $3. To bo 
had of the Author, or of Dr. H. H. Hill, 
Robt. Clarke & Co., or R. W. Carroll & 
Co., Cincinnati, or of Prof. Andrew 
Graham, No. 544, Broadway, N. Y. 



I 



THEE CITsTCIISriNr^TI 

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE, 

AND 

PHYSIO-MEDICAL COLLEGE. 

The Subscriber will commence, on the first Tuesday in January, 18T2, to a class of Ladies, 
already engaged, a Regular course of Lectures on the Science of life; involving the consideration 
of all the subjects that are very essential to the preservation of health and the cure of disease. 

He will be aided, as it becomes necessary, by competent Professors. 

The Lectures will continue twenty weeks, within which time will be taught all that is es- 
sential to enable diligent and faithful students to take good care of their own health and lives 
and those of their families, and of others, if they choose. Those who do not want the whole 
course, may attend any part of it. An extensive practice for nearly forty years, has convinced 
us that seven tenths of the present suffering and premature deaths of females and their children, 
from diseases peculiar to them, might be prevented by obedience to the instructions that will 
be given in this course of leetures. 

All other sciences than Medicine, have been so simplified by discoveries and experiments, 
that they require of students far less time and labor than they formerly did, to become well 
acquainted with them. The declaration that Medicine requires longer time and severer 
application, is proof that what is called Medicine is not a science; and the miserable fail- 
ures every day occurring, prove that its practice is not an art. 

That the Physio-Medical System is the true science and art of healing, is fully proved 
by the practice of the ladies who have exercised it, and will be by all who shall attend the 
course of Lectures here enunciated, and do justice to their opportunities. They will learn 
to prevent sevex-texths of all their present sufferings from disease, and to cure ninety-nine- 
hundreths of the cases that do occur, at an expense of time and money less than the cost of a 
good piano and five months practice on it, 

What other present so valuable can a person give to a daughter or a female friend? Music 
is interesting, good and useful, but not indispensable. The sciexce of life is invaluable: 
it is not only the preserver of health, it is a means of support. They who possess it need 
never sing "The Song of the Shirt,'" They can always secure a good living by its practice, 
one of the noblest of all employments. Their services as physicians are wanted everywhere 
and the compensations are more liberal than are those of any other employment. 

TERMS. BOOKS BY A. CURTIS, M. D. 

Tickets to the Course - - - - $50. OO Criticisms on all the Popular Systems of 

Books, ------- $20 to 30 OO Medicine, ....... $2 £0 

Diploma, if deserved - - . - $25 00 Theory and Practice of Medicine, * §5 00 

Boarding, etc. , per week, . . §5 to 7 00 Obstetrics, etc. , ..--.- |8O0 

M'dical Discussion?, ._-.*--$! 25 

These are the most reliable standard works on true Medical Science and Practice. No 
family should hesitate to procure them as a life insurance company that will seldom fail. 

Sold by the author. No. 162 Longworth Street. Sent post-paid to all parts of the United 
States, on receipt of the above prices. 

Address: A. CURTIS, M. D., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Or come to his residence, as above, by the John Street Cars. 



